Eastern ward: time for change?

The Wellingtonian's views on the Eastern Ward:

Eastern ward: time for change?



By JIM CHIPP - The Wellingtonian


Last updated 05:00 05/08/2010

The Wellingtonian continues its local body election countdown with a look at the Eastern ward, which has been the field of the bitterest battle of this triennium – the indoor sports centre.

Ray Ahipene-Mercer was the highest polling councillor in the ward in 2007, followed closely by Labour councillor Leonie Gill, with Rob Goulden a distant third.

All are long-serving councillors and Mr Ahipene-Mercer and Mr Goulden also stood for the mayoralty.

The ward election will be livened by the entry of Miramar vet Allan Probert, Taima Fagaloa of the Labour Party and radio announcer Simon (Swampy) Marsh.

Indoor sports centre: `Public policy by utu'

The most contentious issue of the council term was the $50 million indoor sports centre project at Cobham Park in Rongotai.

Some argued the 12-court building would be too small, and that the extra traffic between the city and the centre would overwhelm the Mt Victoria tunnel.

A councillor, Andy Foster, and a resident, Mike Mellor, appealed against the project's resource consent in the Environment Court, on grounds of choice of location, traffic congestion and pedestrian access.

Mr Foster's appeal made him unpopular with his fellow councillors, and when a council decision to extend the Golden Mile bus lanes into Courtenay Place was overturned while he was transport portfolio leader, it was seen by some as payback.

"It's public policy by utu," said Southern ward councillor Bryan Pepperell.

Mr Foster agreed to withdraw his appeal on condition of an independent review and Mr Mellor's objections were settled in mediation.

The centre is under construction and expected to open next August.

Sport Wellington chief executive Paul Cameron, who is also an Eastern ward resident, welcomed the centre, and said it would have caused traffic issues wherever it was located.

"From a Sport Wellington point of view, they appear to be doing extremely well. I am comfortable with the way they are handling things. It's going to be superb."

Mr Mellor withdrew his appeal when concessions were made to make it easier for people to access the centre on foot.

"They [council] didn't take into account the things they had to do according to their own District Plan," he said.

"It took me taking them to court. Once they realised that I was serious they took me seriously.

"It was unfortunate from everybody's point of view, particularly the ratepayers who had to pay out tens of thousands of dollars."

He said he had received some support from Mr Goulden, but had no contact with the other two councillors.

Taking the slow road

A traffic report on the probable effects of the indoor sports centre pointed out that Mt Victoria tunnel was already fully loaded, carrying 3600 vehicles an hour at peak times, and appeared to be the busiest two-lane road in New Zealand.

It projected an extra 139 vehicles per hour heading to and from the indoor sports centre.

"This amount of additional traffic using Mt Victoria tunnel equates to four years of traffic growth in one big hit," it said.

The same report said the average queue length on Cobham Drive east on a Saturday could extend from 166 metres to 260m once the indoor sports centre was built, and the maximum queue length could be two to three times bigger.

The opening of the centre may be the last straw in its effect on traffic congestion in the area, which was part of the subject of the Ngauranga to Airport transport corridor consultation and plan.

Wellington city and regional councils, and what is now New Zealand Transport Agency joined forces to consult the public on long-term transport issues and come up with a plan, which seems likely to help drivers more than public transport.

It includes a flyover at the Basin Reserve and a second Mt Victoria tunnel.

Charles Finny, Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive at the time, made submissions.

"I was very pleased with the outcome but I wonder why it took so long to focus on some aspects of this roading, particularly between the airport and the central business district," he said.

"It really is one of the most congested pieces of road in New Zealand and it's a great shame. It seemed to be Wellington City Council that was delaying it."

Mt Victoria Residents' Association chairman Kent Duston was also involved in the consultation.

As part of State Highway 1, the road is under the control of the transport agency which, he said, was "strongly focused on roads and ripping into the fabric of the city".

"From my point of view the sensible solution would have been the light rail system proposed by councillor Wade-Brown."

He said some of the council's decisions in terms of improving public transport in the eastern suburbs "haven't been particularly helpful".

"An example is Ray Ahipene-Mercer voting against bus lanes in Courtenay Place. Given that he is also the climate change portfolio leader it is disappointing."