Save the Basin Campaign Press Release: Proposed Flyover Ugly, Unnecessary and Unjustified

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Flyover, NZTA, press release

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The Save the Basin Campaign today said that the New Zealand Transport Agency could spin its proposed Basin Reserve flyover however it liked, but the very fact NZTA felt it necessary to come up with various new cosmetic measures to try to hide the flyover showed that the project remained ugly, unnecessary and unjustified.

“NZTA can dress up their proposed flyover however they like, but no amount of spin and no amount of cosmetics can disguise the fact that the agency is trying to impose an ugly, outdated transport solution on Wellington that does nothing to meet Wellington’s transport needs,” said Save the Basin Campaign spokesperson Joanna Newman.

“Flyovers might have been cutting-edge in the 1960s,” Ms Newman continued. “But in the second decade of the 21st century, the idea of building a flyover near the centre of a modern nation’s capital city is ludicrous.”

“All over the world, from Seoul to Seattle, from Portland to Leicester, cities are tearing down flyovers and replacing them with good urban design and sustainable transport solutions. Unfortunately, the Government and the NZTA seem to think that Los Angeles and Auckland are the transport models that Wellington should follow.”

“The Basin Reserve has come under many threats over the years,” said Ms Newman. “In the end all retreated in the face of public opposition because Wellingtonians have placed a high value on the unique character of this reserve, held in trust for them by the Council.

“Yet again, the Basin is under threat, and we are sure that, as they have in the past, Wellingtonians and cricket fans from around the world will rally round to protect it.”

“The Save the Basin Campaign is committed to stopping this ugly blight on the urban landscape from ever being built,” Joanna Newman concluded. “We have a range of methods available to us, and we look forward to using them.”

Joanna Newman
Spokesperson
Save the Basin Campaign

It’s Time For Kevin Lavery To Pipe Down

14 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by in Flyover, Wellington City Council

≈ 1 Comment

New Wellington City Council Chief Executive Kevin Lavery has been in Wellington for 10 weeks. He says he misses British television, British TV news, and his family. We sympathise.

Unfortunately, he also seems to be missing the point that he is a paid servant of Wellington City Council and of Wellington ratepayers, not their master. Not content with proposing the demolition of Wellington Town Hall, he has now told The Wellingtonian that:

“I could understand the debate over the Basin Reserve flyover, but the decision has been made and it’s time to move on, just making sure there is good mitigation.”

It seems to have escaped Dr Lavery’s attention that no decision has been made about a Basin Reserve flyover. Wellington City Council voted neither to support nor oppose a flyover, and not only has no resource consent been issued for a flyover, no resource consent application has yet been made.

And as for mitigation – if Dr Lavery thinks that a 9-metre-high, 380-metre-long flyover can be mitigated, then he is living on a different planet to the rest of us.

Wellingtonians pay Kevin Lavery a very handsome salary to do his job. We suggest he stops trying to set the agenda and gets on with the work a paid employee of Wellington’s ratepayers should do.

An Inspiring Saturday With Save Kapiti

10 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by in Roads of National Significance, Save Kapiti

≈ 2 Comments

A number of us from the Save the Basin Campaign spent last Saturday at Whakarongotai Marae in Waikanae, at a hui organised by Save Kapiti spokesperson Bianca Begovich, and wonderfully hosted by the tangata whenua.

Save Kapiti are campaigning against the proposed Kapiti Expressway, which, like the proposed Basin Reserve flyover, is one of the current National Government’s “Roads of National Significance” proposals. The Kapiti Expressway would be a massive and (yet again) unnecessary motorway, designed to meet the interests of the trucking industry, that would destroy many homes and split Kapiti Coast communities apart.

The Government sent the Kapiti Expressway proposal to an EPA Board of Inquiry hearing which, true to the EPA’s role as a rubber-stamping mechanism, ignored the evidence presented to it by anyone other than NZTA, and decided in favour of the Expressway. Save Kapiti have appealed this decision, and their appeal will be heard in the High Court on 10 July – but, whatever the result of the appeal, they are also exploring other means of opposition that will become public in due course.

Save Kapiti, and other groups such as Alliance for Sustainable Kapiti (ASK) have spent three years and a great deal of money fighting this appalling proposal. It’s been hard, demanding work. But guess what? They are still going strong.

100 people attended the hui – even setting aside the contingents from Save the Basin and Generation Zero who attended, that is 90 Kapiti Coast residents who said, loud and clear, that they are not going to give in to NZTA and Government bullying, that they are going to keep fighting, and that the Kapiti Expressway is going to be stopped.

I was inspired by their commitment, determination, and unity. I was impressed by the strong support for Save Kapiti expressed at the hui by Greens transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter and Labour transport spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway (Labour and the Greens being two of the five parties who also oppose a Basin flyover). And it was great to get a sense of where Save Kapiti is going next. Much as NZTA and the Government would wish otherwise, one place they aren’t going is away.

But the hui was also a valuable source of tactical insight for the Save the Basin Campaign. One of the most interesting contributions came from a former NZTA manager who had resigned in protest over NZTA’s Expressway plans. I asked her what NZTA hated most, and the answer was: bad publicity. Every critical media release, every Letter to the Editor slamming their plans and calling attention to their bad faith, is something NZTA’s managers have to explain away to their bosses and to the Minister.

So the takeaway message here is: keep the bad news coming for NZTA. Keep writing letters to the paper. Keep commenting on flyover-related articles on Wellington Scoop and elsewhere. Tell your MP and your councillors that you don’t want and will oppose a Basin flyover. And watch out for some major opportunities to help Save the Basin with publicity over the next few months.

Also, remember that one of the best ways you can help right now is by donating to Save the Basin. Find out how here: http://savethebasin.org.nz/donate/

Government’s plan to construct Roads of National Significance is a decade too late, says Canadian transport expert

29 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by in Flyover, roading, Roads of National Significance

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Todd Litman, a transport expert visiting Wellington from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, told a recent Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Centre seminar that the Government’s Roads of National Significance plans (which include the proposed Basin Reserve flyover) are a decade too late, because car use has peaked.

As reported by Wellington Scoop, Todd Litman said:

It’s time to employ a new urban planning model – one that favours accessibility over mobility – in order to meet increased consumer demand for walking, cycling and public transport.

Todd Litman went on to make some points that all New Zealand transport planners – and political parties – should be listening to. To again quote the Wellington Scoop report:

Decline in the auto industry is due to an ageing population, increases in fuel cost, urbanization, traffic and parking congestion, roading costs, changing consumer preferences, environmental and health concerns. He cited an Economist article from 22 September 2012 that went further, showing how the next generation is less inclined to get behind the wheel, and not even learning how to drive until later in life, if at all.

“Change in consumer demands is a terrific opportunity to save money and satisfy people’s demand for walking, biking, and public transport,” he added. “Unfortunately, the planning community is not taking advantage of this. We need to expand the scope of planning objectives. Formerly, it was focused on the speed of travel. I think there are a number of other objectives.”

The full presentation and audio from Todd Litman’s presentation have now been placed online by Motu. You can access them here:

http://www.motu.org.nz/building-capacity/past_public_policy_seminars#2013

We’d like to congratulate Motu for having the foresight to organise this seminar – and thank Todd Litman for bringing a reality check to a New Zealand transport planning scene that is dominated by outdated assumptions and business-as-usual thinking.

Did You Know NZTA’s Proposed Flyover Only Runs From East To West?

22 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by in Flyover, NZTA, roading

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When people hear about the 9-metre-high, 380-metre-long flyover the New Zealand Transport Agency is planning to build next to the Basin Reserve, one thing above all else comes as a surprise to them – that the proposed flyover runs only one way.

That’s right – NZTA’s proposed flyover would run from east to west – that is, from the Mt Victoria tunnel towards the National War Memorial and the new tunnel under Memorial Park.

So if people from the western suburbs try to tell you that the proposed flyover will make it easier to get to the airport, you can quickly put them right.

(Of course, even if you were travelling from east to west, the proposed flyover will only lead you to a long wait at a set of traffic lights – so it’s not like eastern suburbs residents gain anything, either.)

Save The Basin T-shirts For Sale

12 Sunday May 2013

Posted by in resources, T-shirts

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Want to look good, spread the “No Flyover” message and help us raise money? Then buy a “No Flyover” T-shirt (standard or Barmy Army-branded) from the Save the Basin Campaign. Or take advantage of our special offer on orders of 2 standard Ts!

Two Types of T-Shirt: Standard, and Barmy Army Souvenir

We have two types of “No Flyover” T-shirt available for sale: Standard, with the “No Flyover” image on the front, and the special Barmy Army-branded March 2013 Basin Test souvenir edition, with the Barmy Army logo and the dates of the March 2013 NZ v England Test at the Basin on the back, and the “No Flyover” logo on the front.

Check them out:

Standard No Flyover T

Standard No Flyover T

Souvenir Barmy Army T - front

Souvenir Barmy Army T – front

Souvenir Barmy Army T - back

Souvenir Barmy Army T – back

Buy the Barmy Army Souvenir T via TradeMe

The Barmy Army Ts are also available through TradeMe. Buy them here:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=592515021

The information below relates to ordering Standard and Souvenir Ts directly from Save the Basin.

Sizes

Standard T-shirts are available in XL, L and M

Barmy Army T-shirts are available in XL and L

Please specify the size(s) you want in your order.

Making your order

Please email your order to stoptheflyover@gmail.com with the subject line “T-shirt order”.

Please specify:

  • Your name
  • Your postal address
  • The type(s) of T-shirt you want, and the numbers of each
  • The size(s) you want

Prices

Orders within NZ (prices include p&p):

Standard “No Flyover” Ts

One T-shirt: $20
Two T-shirts: $30

Barmy Army-branded “No Flyover” Ts

$24.50 per T-shirt (no volume discount)

Overseas orders

For overseas orders, send your request to stoptheflyover@gmail.com, and give your address details.A quote for the P&P will be emailed to you.

Payment

Please pay by making an online payment to Save the Basin Campaign Kiwibank account: 38-9011-0725227-01

In the reference fields, please include your name and “T Shirt”.

If you’re not able to pay online, please send a cheque to “Save the Basin Campaign” at

Save the Basin Campaign, PO Box 19-056, Courtenay Place, Wellington 6149

Important note: Orders will not be sent until payment has been received.

This is an easy way to spread the message while looking good and helping us financially. We look forwards to your order!

Save The Basin Campaign Congratulates Save Kapiti On Decision To Appeal

03 Friday May 2013

Posted by in NZTA, Save Kapiti

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The Save the Basin Campaign has congratulated the Save Kapiti group on its decision to appeal against the decision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Board of Inquiry into the proposed Kapiti Expressway. Save the Basin Co-Convenor Tim Jones said “We admire and respect the way Save Kapiti has coped with everything the NZTA and the Government have thrown at them. The NZTA have tried buying opposition off, they’ve tried bullying, and they’ve tried to bleed Save Kapiti dry financially through an EPA Board process which is heavily weighted in the applicant’s favour. And none of it has worked.”

“We salute Save Kapiti’s resilience and determination,” Tim Jones continued, “and we wish them all the best for their appeal.”

You can read the Save Kapiti press statement announcing the appeal on Wellington Scoop: http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=55014, and find out more information on the Save Kapiti website.

What A Courier Thinks About The Basin Reserve

28 Sunday Apr 2013

Posted by in Flyover, roading, Wellington City Council

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Someone who works as a courier got in touch recently to let us know his thoughts about NZTA’s proposed Basin Reserve flyover. We think these thoughts are worth sharing with you. NZTA, are you paying attention?

“Driving around Wellington and using the Basin reserve roundabout is a regular feature of my day. I have a car that ‘knows its own way to the airport’ as my wife works/flies out of Wellington airport with her employment (Air NZ) whilst my son instructs flying at the Wellington Aero club. Added to the frequency of driving to/from these two locations from Central Wellington is my courier work in and around the town. Yes, it is a town and sorry for those whose city status beliefs I may have offended.

My driving whilst on duty requires me to negotiate the Mt Victoria Tunnel to access Miramar/Hataitai/Airport and also to access Adelaide Street/Newtown and the delights of Island Bay. I do this at all hours of the day and evening in addition to my husbandly duties in taking said spouse and/or son to their work destinations,  Pac n’ Save in Kilburnie is also patronised by me/us in a private capacity which involves the Basin and tunnel.

The main point here is that the traffic flow around the Basin is easy and ‘businesslike’ with a sensible phasing of traffic lights. Very rarely indeed does traffic back up into the tunnel as you exit en route to the Basin. Proceeding in any combination of approaches/exits does not cause any issue, motorists use the two/three lanes affording approaches to each roundabout intersection with a high level of responsibility. Red light infractions are rare in my observation. Simply put there is no need to do this [build a flyover] as the light phasing is reasonable. The recent re-routing of the approach to the Taranaki Street intersection via top of Tory Street has not impacted the flow despite the new traffic lights.

In short, we have planners seeking to despoil the vista/amenity of Kent Terrace and a very ‘workable’ roundabout and traffic system (you don’t hear many people cursing the Basin route or seeking alternatives via Oriental Bay etc) to install a multi-million dollar concrete monstrosity. If the council want to serve the people of Wellington, they should create infrastructure and buildings that will serve us as far as our grand-childrens’ generation and maybe beyond.”

A Great Meeting – And Some Great Videos!

20 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by in Flyover, NZTA, public meeting, video

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Our Save the Basin public meeting went very well this afternoon. Despite weather that was a touch on the damp side, over 70 people joined us at the Film Archive to watch videos, hear speakers, buy Save the Basin T-shirts, talk, and offer lots of support and many great ideas to the campaign.

As we’ve said before, the NZTA is, sadly, the last refuge of outdated 1960s transport thinking: the belief that motorways and flyovers are the way to build a modern transport system has gone the way of walk shorts and the 3 o’clock tea trolley elsewhere in the world, but it’s still alive and well at NZTA HQ and in the Beehive.

The three videos we watched from Streetfilms.org, a US organisation that makes short videos about ways to make transport and urban centres better, made this point very, very clear. We recommend that you watch them and share them:

Check out the whole “Moving Beyond the Automobile” series here: http://www.streetfilms.org/moving-beyond-the-automobile/

 

Campaign Resources Now Online

20 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by in Flyover, resources

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If you need information about the proposed Basin Reserve flyover, its implications, and the case against it, please check out this list of campaign resources, which will grow over time.

Facts About The Proposed Flyover (PDF)

Basin Reserve Heritage Backgrounder (PDF)

Basin Flyover Design Backgrounder (PDF)

Health Issues Relevant to the Proposed Basin Reserve Flyover: Information for the Basin Reserve Schools, by Dr Marie O’Sullivan (PDF).
Note: 4000 students attend school in the area around the Basin Reserve. This backgrounder highlights issues of concern to schools near the Basin, but also provides useful information to anyone concerned about the health effects of a Basin Reserve flyover.

These add to our existing resources, including our page on alternatives to a Basin Reserve flyover and our campaign video.

It takes money to create and distribute these resources, so please donate online or by mail.

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