Jo Coughlan to set up infrastructure advisory group

NEWS RELEASE, 8 September 2016

Wellington Mayoral candidate Jo Coughlan said today that as Mayor she will go to central government with a Capital City Infrastructure Package Proposal and bring together the key Wellington organisations involved in infrastructure as a team to support the city’s ambition.

“I want the government to listen to the needs of Wellington for infrastructure. We are the Capital city. That’s why I will be engaging with the Prime Minister, senior ministers and party leaders on Wellington’s behalf. We are a growing capital city that needs important infrastructure to ensure that we future proof the city over the next half century or so. Not only is this good for the capital city, but it’s good for all New Zealand. Central government has a critical part to play.

“If elected mayor, I will invite a high level group of chairpersons and/or CEOs of the key infrastructure organisations including, but not necessarily limited to, Wellington Airport, Port of Wellington, Wellington Water, Wellington Electricity, Kiwi Rail, and Chorus, to be part of my Capital City Infrastructure Advisory Group.

“We have some key projects including:

• Double tunnelling The Terrace and Mt Victoria tunnels
• Roading projects
• Public transport
• Airport runway expansion
• Harbourside cycleway
• Film museum and convention centre
• Water supply and wastewater
• Resilience projects
• Port dredging and access
• Broadband

“These are critical projects to the city’s future. Funding will need to come from various sources but we need to ensure that Wellington gets its fair share of central government funding. It’s better if we work together as a city than in separate silos. As mayor I will lead this by pulling the players together as a team to work with me and the rest of council to make sure Government understands the capital city’s needs and plans.”