Submissions Presented

By Frank Neill

Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert (left) receiving more than 1,000 submissions from Ann Evans of Shared Spaces Karori.

More than 1,200 submissions strongly opposing the current Karori Connections cycleway designs were presented to Wellington City Council (WCC) by the submission deadline of 8 October.

The day before the deadline a team from Shared Spaces Karori presented 1,188 of these

submissions to Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert at the council’s offices on The Terrace.

Coincidentally Wellington City Council had also received 1,188 submissions at the time Shared Spaces handed over their submissions on 7 October.

Councillors Tony Randle and Ray Chung were also present when Shared Spaces handed the submissions to Cr Calvert.

The Shared Spaces initiative, which has attracted more than 1,200 submissions, exceeded the number of submissions the Johnsonville Business Group (JBG) collected opposing the removal of car parks in their suburb.

The JBG presented Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) with 1,031 submissions against the

cycleway plan.

The removal of cars parks to make way for cycleways are being organised differently in the two suburbs.

LGWM are involved with the Johnsonville transport plan while the WCC are involved with the

Karori plan.

Shared Spaces hopes that the submissions it has presented “will make a real difference in terms of the aproach taken by council,” says Richard Evans of Shared Spaces Karori.

Since submissions for the Karori Connections project opened in September Shared Spaces “has been working to ensure all parties may be heard.

“Shared Spaces Karori has worked with people directly impacted by the proposed changes and requested support for challenging the current Karori Connections cycleway designs proposed by council so that a more integrated plan that accommodates a wider stakeholder group is adopted,” Richard says.

“The proposed changes would see a significant number of carparks removed on the route from Glenmore Street to the end of Karori Road as well as changes to bus stops that most significantly would see them moved into the direct traffic lane.

“The parking changes outside of the Botanical Gardens would also have significant impact on the public and the diverse range of visitors this Wellington icon attracts.

“There will be similar impacts for people using Karori Park including the children’s playground, clubrooms, and café,” Richard says.

“Shared Spaces Karori is a diverse community group including cyclists, non-cyclists, Karori

residents and business owners that want to see the best possible transport outcome for Karori.

“This group fully supports the development of cycleways but not in isolation.

“They would like council to work with the community to develop a co-ordinated transport plan for all; one that is inclusive of all modes of transport, cycle, bus, walking and cars in conjunction with parking and bus plans.

“Shared Spaces Karori fully endorses the phrase that originated from Let’s Get Wellington Moving which is ‘move more people with fewer vehicles’.

“They also believe that people must be given the opportunity for proper consultation and time to adapt to change as opposed to having it rapidly forced upon them.

“An improved and integrated public transport system would go a long way to assist and provide people with real alternative transport options.

“Shared Spaces Karori received overwhelming support from the community, which strongly

opposes the current cycleway designs,” Richard says.