Long Term Plan

The draft submission was discussed and agreed, with some comparatively minor amendments.

 Keep Newtown Clean

David Wilcock gave an overview of starting KNC because since WCC street cleaning services were contracted out standards had declined. Things have improved with a new contractor – David and other NRA members met with the contractor recently. However there is no proactive monitoring of cleanliness – people report concerns to WCC and the contactor responds. The WCC “Fix-it” app is the easiest way to do this.

At present the monthly KNC clean-up sessions are on hold while the future of the project is considered.

There was a lively discussion with many meeting attendees unhappy with the state of Newtown’s streets and public spaces. An ‘audit of cleanliness’ was suggested to record the jobs that need doing.

The bollards used for posters were discussed – these were provided as a public facility but later Phantom Billstickers were given the rights to use them. As a result posters for local events can’t get put up there – it was suggested that we attempt to get at least some of them back for local use.

 Cycling

Effie Rankin talked of observing many cyclists disobeying road rules – eg riding on foothpaths, riding across pedestrian crossings and through red lights. She advocated better cyclist education about the road rules and better enforcement. Again a vigorous discussion – centering on whether motorists or cyclists are the most frequent offenders! However there was general agreement that all need to follow the road code.

Tom Law reported that progress on cycleways is halted until the WCC have done more work on a Wellington-wide strategy.

 John Street Protocols

Jeanie McCafferty talked with roading contractors recently and discovered that they had never heard of the protocols, but were interested to read them and liked them. Jeanie would like to take if further with Council and get the protocols in common use – met with general approval. [The John St Protocols were developed during the building of the Countdown Supermarket in John St.]

 Caltex site

Chevron have now put the site in South Riddiford St up for tender, agent Baileys, closing in May. David Wilcock suggested that Council require public parking be provded as part of any new development.

Next Meeting Monday 18th May 2015, 7.30pm

The next Residents’ Association Meeting is on Monday, 20th April, 7.30pm at the Newtown Hall, 71 Daniell St. All welcome!

We will be discussing the Residents’ Association submission on the WCC Long Term Plan – a group is currently working on this.  Submissions are officially due on Friday 17th April, but we have been allowed an extension until after this meeting.  Click here to read the NRA Draft Submission. If you won’t be at the meeting on Monday please email us with any comments.

If you have other items you would like on the agenda please let us know – newtownwellington@gmail.com.

On March 16th we discussed the Wellington City Council Long Term Plan and the WCC Social Housing Policy.

Other topics included a review of the Keep Newtown Clean project, the recent Civic Hakathon, proposals for improvements to the Wellington Bus service, and concerns about the safety of verandahs.

We also passed a vote of thanks to Festival Director Martin Hanley and the rest of the NRA Festival Committee for a most successful 2015 Newtown Festival.

Read the full minutes here – there is a lot of interesting detail.