SIMON WOOLF #1

"I Stand Up For Wellington"

As a successful second term councillor Simon brings a collaborative, common-sense approach to Council. He’s a lateral thinker, a good communicator and a great listener. A passionate advocate for Wellington, Simon adds a fresh, forward-focused voice to Council driving advancements in economic development, the arts, sports and the environment. Over the past 5 years of Simon’s action in Wellington City Council he has been involved and participated in the following boards and committees:

Simon History

My Policy

A vibrant and safe Wellington

My Style

Councillors need to work collaboratively and make things happen efficiently and effectively. We need to work with a broad range of the community, with Iwi, other councils and central government.  In the past term teamwork has been at a minimum. I will be encouraging a more team orientated approach to all areas of council. It is an essential ingredient in any success.

I aim to expedite key projects, which are vital to the city's future and to listen to others points of view and support the best of their ideas. With my background in Wellington business, community and the environment, I am well placed to understand and make good decisions.

Economic Growth

Economic growth is vital. We not only need to attract good people to live, work and visit Wellington, we also need to keep skilled people. Wellington needs our youth to have a belief that there is something here for them after they complete their education.

Enhancing clusters and collaborations are a must for Wellington. Similar minded organisations should be encouraged to work together so they can be more viable and attractive.  For example,  the Council should encourage “multi-passing – there are incentives to tourists if they could purchase, in one go, tickets to the zoo,  Zealandia, Phoenix,  Pulse, Super and NPC Rugby etc.  We need to think about the packaging our businesses could do together.

We need to build on and add to our existing attractions - our museums, our natural environment, our reputation as the arts and cultural capital, the Courtney party zone.  We have to help these attractions grow.  We need to work with and encourage business and offer incentives, where possible.

I  believe it’s time for Wellington to adopt some of the new methods of funding where the community business, and philanthropycan become more involved, Crowd Funding, and Give A Little options should be investigated  such that was organised to help fund the Michael Fowler Centre.  I would like to see the lottery fund some major projects like a CItizenship Centre, for our children, a National Photography Centre, or even  The Marine Education Centre

I would like to investigate a Celebrate Wellington Festival, and a multicultural showcase.  I would also look at the possibilities for how we can showcase Wellington talent – the likes of Ngati Poneke Rodger Fox, Ben Makisi, Deirdre Tarrant and Geoff Sewell.

History

A vibrant Wellington should be considerate to our history.  I would push for a “Walk of Fame”, and the city waterfront seems like an ideal location.  This would be another visitor attraction.   The Walk could include the many contributors to the city.  Over the past three years I have been working behind the scenes to try and have a number of our cities icons, and personalities, who have contributed to Wellington recognised.  Many have through my nominations for Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Awards, however more could be achieved to recognise leadership and contribution.

Stay Loyal

I believe we should investigate incentives to keep key business’ in Wellington.  We need to consider talent identification and internships in key areas.

Natural Environment

Wellington’s natural environment is special and unique. We should capitalise on the environment with “quality-of-life attractions”.  We need a greater emphasis on protecting, enhancing and promoting our natural environment.

Transport

We need to be able to transport people in and out of the city effectively. It needs to be achieved quickly, as we have three issues:

1.       Safe evacuation in times of disaster

2.       The CBD’s attractiveness as a vibrant retail centre;

3.       Congestion.

State highway one

The Kapiti Corridor via Transmission Gully, with protection for the Pauahautanui Inlet, through to Wellington Airport is a necessity.  We need a second Mt Victoria Tunnel, to ensure smooth traffic-flow on this vital route.

Road Safety and Traffic Congestion

I was an initiator of Karori Normal “Kiss and Drop” concept. When adopted it made the school pick-up zone far safer and smoothed traffic flow. I believe a similar system could be implemented successfully around the CBD, to similar effect.  It would encourage greater car-pooling, and ease CBD congestion at critical times.

I also advocate traffic hubs around the city to transport people to and from the eastern and southern suburbs, more efficiently, and create incentives to help free up CBD congestion.

The airport

Wellington needs better access to the rest of the world. For economic growth the airport is our number one gateway. Our airport currently lacks the capacity to bring in long haul flights, and there are safety concerns.

One option available is to extend the airport runway, but there are major costs and impacts on those living in the area and the environment.

Technology may, in time, lessen or negate the need for a large runway extension. However, I believe we should extend the runway immediately to meet safety concerns.   The addition needed would allow an aircraft runoff area to the north which would create a safety zone.  We need to place a tunnel over Cobham Drive and do this work quickly, whilst giving time to fully consider a longer runway extension.  Bottom line on a $300million plus extension, would be a compelling business case, a successful Environment Court decision, and an airline willing and committed to fly in and out of Wellington in order to make a reasonable return on the cities investment.

disaster preparedness

We have been given a wake-up calls on a semi regular basis.  We live on a major fault and we are prone to storms and flooding. Climate change, and especially sea level rise needs to be addressed, where we can.  Disaster awareness and preparedness is essential

We need to ensure that major arterial routes can be used or alternatives provided. I wish to be a part of how we can improve our evacuation planning and disaster preparedness generally.

the great harbour way

A Cycleway Walkway from the Hutt Valley to Wellington, and incorporating our beaches and bays has been mooted for sometime. I have been pushing the concept and proposal well before cycleway issues became a political hot potato.  While Cobham Drive looks to kick off the project, Petone to Queens Wharf would be a logical step for the near future.   There are multiple benefits to a Petone to Queens Wharf Cycleway.  With government assistance, we could have a first class cycleway, a separated walkway, greater resilience for State Highway 1 and 2, and even greater protection for our rail network.

With some vision, drive, will  and initiative,down the track we could also have a stunning entrance to Wellington too, which could incorporate green space, recreational areas for boating, fishing, etc, and wonderful outdoor public art.  With the predicted rise in our Little Blue Penguin population, we could also have areas specifically designated as protected nesting areas and habitat for penguins and other wildlife.  The potential is endless.   Funding could come in the form of public, private, philanthropy and the community.  If New York could turn a run down rat infested, crime filled rusty redundant overhead rail track into the first class tourist attraction it has become , surely we can do something similar with The Petone to Queens Wharf section of The Great Harbour Way. A big benefit would be that much of the section could be raised perhaps walled, and be protection for Climate Change events and predicted sea rise.

Senior taskforce advisory group

Council currently has four advisory groups. They are The Youth Council, The Pacific Advisory Group, The Accessibility Advisory Groups and The Environmental Reference Group. They are all funded and resourced by council . We also assist The Wellington Multicultural Society.

This past term has seen some contentious controversial situations occur.  Many of the issues have affected our senior members of our community, without their having a real voice, or being invited to be consult. The cities engagement with its senior community is currently poor. We have an aging society. There is also an increase in inner city living, and in our suburbs we could be doing more to provide incentives for our elderly to assist keeping them vital, and involved in civic and community affairs. There are some amazingly talented Senior Citizens in our city. Over the past three years I have been inspired by many, who have fronted up at council committees, been leaders of residents, community, sports, and arts groups. Many of our over 65's have stepped up, by lobbying in respect of a change, or out of concern, and most have been impressive due to their previous experience and expertise. Wellington very much needs the voice of our senior citizens to be heard. We need to harness the skills, and mind power of more of our superannuates, and I am willing to bet if we create a an advisory group or task force for our seniors to contribute, they will!

transparency and accountability 

Throughout the council term, one of my biggest concerns has related to information chains, or sometimes lack thereof.   Gaining detailed responses, or answers to questions, queries and concerns has proved difficult at times during the term. It has been frustrating to say the leas

I found out early that certain officers responded to emails, (often in a delayed sense), not with the answers to questions, but requesting a meeting to go over my concerns.  My initial emails were not responded to, which meant no information trail!

Whether I am elected, or not, (and I hope to be), I will be looking to have some bad habits change. The public, councillors and officers need to be aware that information streams are fair and reasonable, and are recorded properly.

It has been a battle at times over the past term, trying to gain information in a timely cohesive manner, where the delivery of what is requested is in plain English, and not answered in technical jargon. There have been occasions where my questions have not been answered at all, or where returned information has been left out the answers to key questions. I know many in our community have similar concerns.

So this is a "heads up".  Information which should be in the public domain, in relation to council business needs a great deal of change. Culturally and ethically, Council needs to be more transparent in its dealings . I aim to insist Council fulfills its legal and ethical obligations, where information trails are coherent,  and are not disjointed.  As importantly council needs to have information trails easily traced, and they should be well archived, for future reference. The transparency and accountability of Council needs a big improvement. Certain behaviours require change. That will be a fundamental aim and objective if elected again.

Diane Calvert and I released the following statement to the media in February 2019. It incorporates the first tranche of our Election Policy for the Local Body Elections in October 2019.

 Media release – 13 February 2019

Onslow-Western ward City Councillors (Simon Woolf and Diane Calvert) seek re-election to Wellington City Council in 2019

Diane Calvert and Simon Woolf, Wellington City Councillors have formally announced their respective intentions to seek re-election to Wellington City Council at this year’s local government elections.

Simon Woolf a city councillor for nearly six years, says “Over the past three years, our Council has made good progress on setting out a solid framework to take the city into the future.  The improved collegial and collaborative nature and balanced decisions of the Council has ensured most decisions are made by an overwhelmingly majority. It is a priority for us that this balanced approach continues for the growth of our city”.

Diane Calvert, who is completing her first term of three years, says “It’s a privilege to be able to serve the city and its people. Simon and I have developed a strong working relationship through joint projects in our ward and sharing common views and values across city wide projects.  We have made good local progress for our ward and local communities with projects such as the Karori Town Centre placemaking, funding for Khandallah Summer Pool upgrade, along with improving how our city engages. There is still much more to do and we are looking forward to being able to continue to make a positive difference to our local areas and the city as a whole”.

Woolf says “Diane and I bring a wide range of governance and representation skills and experience to our roles with Council. At the end of the day, we each only have one vote out of a total of 15 so being able to influence inside and outside of Council is critical to get things done”.

Both Simon and Diane are keen to continue to hear people’s views on what they want to see for Wellington and will remain focused on ensuring good engagement with all local communities.  

Woolf says “Council needs to be more open to listening to dissenting views especially when those views are grounded in expert community knowledge.

What people are telling us is they want the Council, first and foremost, to continue to focus on resilience and key infrastructure such as transport and water. They also want to see our waterfront and CBD made more vibrant and safer.  The business sector (commercial and social enterprise) in the CBD and suburban centres are also looking for stronger partnerships and more upfront engagement with the Council.”

The recent issues around Greater Wellington Regional Council’s bus and train services along with delays to the recommended draft programme of investment of the Let’s Get Welly Moving programme (Ngauranga to Airport route), being referred back to Council, have been of growing concern to both Woolf and Calvert. Calvert says “when the transport system fails or is weakened, this impacts on the city’s economic and social fabric. Residents bear the brunt of it and we become less connected in many ways. We would like to see consideration given to forming a Regional Transport Authority with the expertise to improve delivery to the people of not only our city but for the whole Wellington region.”

Woolf says “We want to see Council’s current Decade of Culture programme to be less about buildings’ infrastructure and more about supporting the arts and creativity across all areas of our city. We also want to see more art forms right across our city and not just in the CBD.”

With the growing list of big strategic projects, the front facing side of Council’s business gets squeezed. Woolf and Calvert would like to see increased service levels for our key parks, reserves and community centres and more support for volunteers that contribute to the upkeep of these areas.

Rates are a big issue for people especially when for those on a limited and or fixed income. Calvert says “We will continue to strongly advocate for any ratepayer funding, that is required, supports projects that are relevant to Council’s core role, critical to the success of our city and are affordable.”

We focus our ideas on four key areas;

·         A resilient city – water, transport, housing and public amenities

·         Engaged communities

·         Strong economic growth

·         A vibrant creative sector

More details on Woolf and Calvert’s proposed priorities are attached in Appendix A. We are sharing these ideas now with the city’s residents and ratepayers for further feedback and comment. Simon and Diane are keen to continue hearing the community’s views about what’s important to them.

For Further Information:

Diane Calvert Ph 029 9718944 diane@dianecalvert.nz

Simon Woolf Ph 027 975 3163 simonwoolf@xtra.co.nz

Authorised By Diane Calvert, 22 Agra Cres, Wellington

Appendix A

13 February 2019

2019 local government – Wellington City Councillors seek re-election, Simon Woolf and Diane Calvert

Our ideas for sharing and we welcome feedback on what’s important to the community and the city;

Diane Calvert Ph 029 9718944 diane@dianecalvert.nz

Simon Woolf Ph 027 975 3163 simonwoolf@xtra.co.nz

Our Vision

Our vision for Wellington is for it to be the city of creativity and great surprises. We want our city to continue to be the coolest little capital in world that has a strong pride in all its communities and a city that’s offers choice to its people (all ages) on where and how they want to live, work and play.

Key priorities

A resilient city – water, transport, housing and public amenities

·         Continue to support initiatives for Wellington Water to improve our water infrastructure for both reliability and population growth ie. Prince of Wales Park – Omāroro Reservoir

·         Work with multi-level apartment owners and relevant key stakeholders including  government to investigate financial and programme support mechanisms ways to support seismic strengthening of vulnerable homes

·         Ensure new housing development mitigates the impacts of climate change through good design

·         Work with local communities on developing options to manage climate change e.g. recent engagement with Makara Beach residents, use of subsidised solar panels, water tanks etc

·         Continue to support the strengthening of the Town Hall and ensure its main function of a world class auditorium is brought back into use.

·         Consider the establishment of a Regional Transport Authority to improve delivery of transport infrastructure and transparency of information to the people, of not only our city but for the whole Wellington region

·         Support the development of improved roads, bridges and tunnels from The Terrace through to the airport to improve connections with the east and south and enable safer and more open space within the CBD for pedestrians, cycling and activities.

·         Support further development and partnership with central government for public transport to meet the current and future needs of patrons travelling from the CBD through to the east and south of the city. Ensuring any proposed investment has a strong business case, affordable for city ratepayers and not a disproportionate burden.

·         Hold our supply partners- Wellington Electricity and Centreport Wellington to account for resilient structures and services

·         Retain our city’s social housing and look to partner further with Housing NZ on social housing initiatives

·         Partner with commercial providers to develop well-designed and affordable housing to improve supply.

Engaged Communities

·         Continue to improve community engagement in setting Council’s priorities and plans

·         Support more regular interaction with Councillors amongst community groups through focused forums and advisory groups

·         Support Communities to establish their own community plan to connect with Council’s city wide 10 year budget and long term strategies. E.g. Karori Plan

·         Provide for Aged and Ethnic Advisory forums to assist with the setting of Council priorities and services (enhancing the current network of other advisory groups)

·         Take more services to the people- Improved use of Council facilities to improve engagement with suburban communities e.g. meeting space at libraries, service centres co-existing at Council community centres and or Libraries

·         Ensure the current District Plan review delivers on the aspirations of Wellingtonians

·         Provide for more transparency, consistency, District Plan adherence and community notification with resource consents such as for recent projects in Ngaio and Miramar

·         Revitalise town and village centres through improved master planning of areas, good urban design(placemaking), and supporting local economic growth e.g. Northland, Wadestown & Miramar Peninsula

·         Establish a view on the preferred population of Wellington city and surrounding areas to ensure an appropriate city growth strategy is developed.

·         Increased service levels for our key parks, reserves and community centres and more support for volunteers that contribute to the upkeep of these areas

·         Provide online spatial information of Council projects to enable residents to easily identify current and future activities planned for their suburbs

·         Encourage and influence Independent Qualified Mediation as Council's priority choice for dispute resolution, rather than often expensive litigation.

·         Implementing and encouraging cultures and behaviours where Council deals with staff, ratepayers, stakeholders, suppliers and partnerships, in a fair and reasonable manner.  The ultimate aim is to introduce a Model Litigant Policy which will assist engagement with various sectors of the Wellington city community without fear or favour.

Strong Economic Growth

·         Target part of the Council’s economic development resources within WREDA (which are currently primarily focused on marketing and promotion) to focus on;

o        the city’s economic development (commercial and social enterprise) across key sectors

o        growing suburban economic development-

·         Support the completion of a business case for an indoor arena and associated amenities near the Stadium and public transport links

·         Improve engagement with hospitality and retail sectors for mutually beneficial economic growth

·         Improve transparency around the City Growth Fund and linkages to key strategic outcomes

A vibrant creative sector

·         Assist with nurturing and growing performing arts with affordable facilities to hire for performances

·         Establish a “city” of wearable art event  – leveraging off the World of Wearable art, look at how our city can “wear” art through sculptures, street art etc

·         Develop a cohesive plan for city supported events and festivals to ensure a coordinated annual plan of events spread across the year and city.

·         Encourage intellectual property being developed around original creative Wellington inspired events and activities.

My Promise

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Contact me

As a councillor I understand my area needs from wonderful people talking to me about the matters that are affecting them. Through these discussions we can progress our understanding of the opportunities we have to make this place we love even better. 

Please contact me if you want to discuss any matter. 

Phone: 0279753163  |  Facebook  |  or message me below...