save the basin reserve!

A public meeting is planned to save the Basin Reserve and to stop the flyover planned by the New Zealand Transport Agency (previously Transit) and the Greater Wellington Regional Council. This is the official campaign launch to stop the flyover.

All are welcome – come along and get involved with the campaign.

Tuesday 25th November 7:00pm
St Joseph’s Church
150-152 Brougham Street, Mt Victoria

Around 80 people from all walks of life converged on the Greater Wellington Regional Council offices in Wakefield Street today to protest the Council's decision to ignore submitters over the Ngauranga to Airport Corridor Plan. A number of speakers - including Victoria University masters student Charlie Devenish, RAM candidate Grant Brookes, and Green MP Sue Kedgley - addressed the protesters. All noted that some 79% of submitters were opposed to the flyover at the Basin Reserve, but all had been ignored by Councillors. There was a widespread call for immediate investment in light rail, public transport, and safer biking and walking instead of more dead-end roading projects.

It was notable that neither Councillors nor Council Officers were prepared to speak to the gathered ratepayers - all claimed they were in "important meetings", which was met with derision by protesters.

A letter and a poster calling for the Ngauranga to Airport plan to be scrapped and for the resignation of Regional Transport Committee Chair Fran Wilde and Deputy Chair Peter Glensor was presented to junior Council staff. There was widespread sympathy for the secretary who had to receive the protesters, and many people felt she had been set up by the senior managers cowering behind their diaries.

There was much discussion at the protest about the need for a campaign to save the Basin Reserve from the Council and Fulton Hogan. Apparently a public meeting is being organised, and we will notify the community of a date as a soon as it is set.

There is a growing sense of outrage that the Greater Wellington Regional Council has ignored the wishes of 79% of submitters by choosing more roads over better public transport. In committing ratepayers to more than $500 million in unnecessary roading expenditure, the Council is mortgaging our future for no purpose.

A protest outside the Greater Wellington Council offices has been organised for this Friday - so come and demonstrate and display your displeasure!

Where: GWRC, 142 – 146 Wakefield St
When: 12:30pm, Friday 31st October