WELLINGTON: What will it be like in 2040? IMAGE: fifau17.co.nz

WELLINGTON people will have to wait a little longer before they find out where their city is headed over the next three decades.

A 30-year plan being drawn up by Wellington City Council needs more public input, the council says, so the submission period has been extended another six weeks.

The council is happy with feedback so far, but faces criticism that the two-month window for submissions for Wellington 2040 – the Future of our Central City was too short and poorly advertised.

People now have more opportunities to discuss threats to the city, likes and dislikes about Wellington and what they want to see change.

The consultation period was due to end on October 9, but has been extended to November 30.

Newtown resident Dr Dawud Meeran, who was at one of the earlier consultation meetings, says he is pleased the council has listened, but cannot understand what the hurry is for a 30-year plan.

There was little advertising for the consultations: “I’ve kept my eyes open but haven’t seen any. I don’t think the council have taken it seriously.”

Councillors should be campaigning and speaking publicly about the plan, he says.

More consultation?

People do not bother to engage because they do not feel listened to, not because they do not care.

Another resident at one of the meetings, Brent Cherry (right) from Mt Cook, agrees there has not been enough consultation or advertising, although he recognises the council team has worked with limited resources.

Project design advisor Anna Wood says they are pleased with the level of advertising, which included press activity and advertisements, a poster campaign, web-based information and information sent directly to stakeholders.

She says the council is happy with the amount of feedback it has received so far and is expecting more over the next few weeks.

View Wellington 2040 in a larger map

Suggestions and comments include:

• More trees.
• Make lower Cuba Street into a mall with outdoor eating.
• Free parking to encourage people to shop in the city.
• Free Wi Fi in public spaces and parks.
• Another music venue.
• A more cycle friendly city.
• The traffic lights between Cuba St and Ghuznee St take too long and encourages dangerous behaviour.
• Disliked places include Jervois Quay, Manners Mall, Kent and Cambridge Terraces, Karo Drive and Taranaki St.
• Development on the waterfront should be limited and must have a well-conceived purpose and be designed with users in mind.
• A tram system or light rail through the Lambton Quay Golden Mile.

TRAMS back in Lambton Quay?

The central city boundaries for Wellington 2040 extend to and include Oriental Pde, Kent and Cambridge Tces, the Basin Reserve, The Terrace and along the harbour’s edge to Kaiwharawhara.

Submissions can be made to the project team at wellington2040@wcc.govt.nz, or the feedback form can be downloaded from the council website. There is also a Wellington 2040 Facebook group.

The deadline for feedback is 5pm Monday, November 30, 2009.

The plan will be ready for delivery by July, 2011.