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Greater Wellington Regional Council

327 posts | 15 images

Greater Wellington promotes Quality for Life by ensuring our environment is protected while meeting the economic, cultural and social needs of the community. Our specific responsibilities include environment management, flood protection and land management, provision of regional parks, public transport planning and funding, and metropolitan water supply. 

Joined November 2007
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News Images
Transport 23 Jan 2013
New owners for 'celebrity red' English Electrics

WELLINGTON — More tender loving care is in store for two English Electric trains, bought and fully refurbished by Greater Wellington Regional Council several years ago, when they move into the hands of their rail heritage owners.

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Community 22 Jan 2013
Take the kids on a twilight walk

WELLINGTON — Give the kids a treat before they go back to school, and take them to a Greater Wellington Regional Council-hosted twilight walk above Lowry Bay in Eastbourne.

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Tramping 22 Jan 2013
Explore rata, rimu and Rivendell at Regional Park

WELLINGTON — You don’t need to book – just turn up to a free, guided walk on Saturday 26 January at Kaitoke Regional Park, home of Rivendell, a rainforest, and a host of engineering marvels.

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Environment 22 Jan 2013
Don't let your DIY go down the gutter

WELLINGTON — A stream in Whitby ran white last week from paint entering the stormwater system, prompting a reminder from the Greater Wellington Regional Council that roadside gutters are only for the rain.

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Council 14 Jan 2013
Summer active travel programme attracts new breed of workers

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council’s summer active travel programme, Active a2b, is back again this year, but with a new class of participants.

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Community 11 Jan 2013
Queen Elizabeth Park's 60th Jubilee kicks off

WELLINGTON — All hail Queen Elizabeth Park!, as 60th Jubilee celebrations kick off for this gem on the Kāpiti Coast with a guided walk delving into the park’s rich heritage.

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Fire 11 Jan 2013
Warning following weekend fire in Whitireia Park

WELLINGTON — The Greater Wellington Regional Council is calling for people to heed the total fire ban at Porirua's Whitireia Park following a small fire on the park's western beach on Sunday 6 January.

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News 8 Jan 2013
Warning as toxic algae builds up in Waipoua River

WELLINGTON — The Greater Wellington Regional Council, Masterton District Council and Regional Public Health are urging river users to protect themselves and their dogs from toxic algae, with an increase of algal growth detected in Masterton’s Waipoua River this week.

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Water 7 Jan 2013
Save water now to reduce the chance of tough water restrictions

WELLINGTON — Cr Nigel Wilson, Chair of the Regional Council’s Social and Cultural Wellbeing Committee, says the rivers that supply us with water are showing the effects of an unusually dry spring.

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Cycling 20 Dec 2012
Grant enables more Wellington cyclists to hone skills

WELLINGTON — A 30-year drought of cyclist skills training in the Wellington region is set to end now that Greater Wellington Regional Council has won a grant from the Road Safety Trust.

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Forestry 17 Dec 2012
Wellington Regional Council to consider sale of forestry cutting rights

WELLINGTON — Wellington Regional Council is to call for tenders for cutting rights at its 5,600 hectares of forestry land in the upper reaches of the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa.

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Water 13 Dec 2012
Land purchase to allow water storage expansion

WELLINGTON — Wellington Regional Council is to buy more than 200 hectares of land near its Te Marua water treatment plant to allow for future expansion of water storage capacity Councillors agreed at a meeting today to initiate negotiations with AgResearch to purchase 207 hectares not far from its two existing water storage lakes at Te Marua.

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Water 13 Dec 2012
Regional council to look into emergency reservoir

WELLINGTON — Wellington Regional Council is to look at the feasibility of building an emergency water reservoir on the outskirts of Porirua to help resupply residents more quickly after a big earthquake.

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Water 13 Dec 2012
Funding for Wairarapa water project study

WELLINGTON — The Wairarapa community will move one step closer to a reliable, sustainable supply of water, with the conclusion of a funding agreement between Wellington Regional Council and the Irrigation Acceleration Fund.

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Conservation 7 Dec 2012
Community gets behind little blue penguins

WELLINGTON — Little Blue Penguins may begin breeding in Whitireia Park thanks to some ace carpentry skills by some Aotea College students.

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Cycling 6 Dec 2012
Cyclists give Matangi trains thumbs up

WELLINGTON — Wellington cyclists have given a big thumbs up to the new Matangi trains, awarding Greater Wellington Regional Council runner-up in the “Best Cycle Infrastructure Improvement” category in the Roll On Wellington gongs.

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Community 30 Nov 2012
Great Outdoors 2013 about to launch

WELLINGTON — The Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Great Outdoors Summer Events 2013 launches next week when www.gw.govt.nz/summerevents goes live, with more than 50 free or cheap events in the region’s spectacular parks and forests network.

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News 30 Nov 2012
Toxic algae warning as levels build up in the Hutt River

WELLINGTON — The Greater Wellington Regional Council, local councils and Regional Public Health are urging river users to protect themselves and their dogs from toxic algae, with an increase of algal growth detected in the Hutt River this week.

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Council 29 Nov 2012
Wairarapa services underestimated, says regional council

WELLINGTON — Wairarapa’s district councils substantially underestimate the cost and significance of services at present delivered by the regional council, says its chair Fran Wilde.

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Council 28 Nov 2012
Government supports two-tier option for local government

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde has welcomed the Government’s intention to allow for a two-tier model for a new Wellington Council.

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Water 27 Nov 2012
Whitby water main ruptured: locals urged to save water

PORIRUA — Porirua residents and businesses are urged to conserve water from now until further notice because of a ruptured water main at Staithes Drive in Whitby.

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Environment 20 Nov 2012
Public presentations on natural resource management

WELLINGTON — On 26 November the Wellington Regional Council will begin a region-wide series of public presentations on ideas for managing our region’s natural resources.

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Environment 16 Nov 2012
Application lodged for regional park carbon credits

WELLINGTON — The Wellington Regional Council has applied to the Ministry for Primary Industries to register carbon credits for 442.41ha of land, in Belmont Regional Park, East Harbour Regional Park and Battle Hill Farm Forest Park.

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Water 12 Nov 2012
Low rainfall reinforces "dry summer" concern

WELLINGTON — Low rainfall across Wellington’s water catchment areas last month combined with a forecast for more of the same this summer, has increased the chance of a tough summer for urban water users.

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Conservation 5 Nov 2012
A helping hand for Wairarapa's two rarest birds

WAIRARAPA — Riversdale locals, regional and district councils are banding together to protect the nesting site of Wairarapa’s two rarest birds.

The rare New Zealand dotterel

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Environment 5 Nov 2012
What sort of river do you want?

WELLINGTON — What's worse than no summer? A long summer with temperatures consistently above 30 degrees, not being able to cool off in your favourite swimming hole because it's polluted, and prohibition.\ Water testing shows Wairarapa rivers are a mixed bag.

Councillor Gary McPhee

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Transport 31 Oct 2012
Changes to Airport Flyer Wellington City route good news

WELLINGTON — More frequent Airport Flyer services and a more direct route between Wellington Station and the airport is good news for Wellington commuters, says Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde.

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Environment 31 Oct 2012
Warm Greater Wellington scheme hits $10 million mark

WELLINGTON — Over ten million dollars of support for home insulation and clean heating has been provided to homes in the Wellington region through the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Warm Greater Wellington scheme.

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Government 30 Oct 2012
Leaders welcome 'substantial and significant' report on local government

WELLINGTON — Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde and Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett have welcomed the release of a report on local government reform in the Wellington region, calling it ‘substantial and significant’.

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Environment 26 Oct 2012
Belmont logging beginning in November

WELLINGTON — Contractors for the Greater Wellington Regional Council will soon begin logging a 24-hectare radiata pine plantation in Belmont Regional Park, if weather conditions and logging prices are favourable.

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Water 26 Oct 2012
Newer, stronger pipeline for Lower Hutt's eastern bays

WELLINGTON — Residents in Lower Hutt’s eastern bays can look forward to a more secure water supply as the Greater Wellington Regional Council begins work to replace the ageing Point Howard pipeline.

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Community 18 Oct 2012
An open invitation to celebrate Rail Trail's 25th anniversary

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington and the Department of Conservation are celebrating the Rimutaka Rail Trail’s 25th anniversary with an open invitation to walk the trail on 3 November with Governor-General Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae.

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Traffic 10 Oct 2012
Carpark will help protect iconic site

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington is building a new carpark at the Wainuiomata River's mouth to provide formal parking for Baring Head/Ōrua Pouanui visitors and reduce illegal access to the coast.

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Finance 10 Oct 2012
Local government reaping benefits from new funding agency

WELLINGTON — The cost of borrowing by local authorities has reduced as the result of a highly successful first seven months by the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) says Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde.

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Environment 8 Oct 2012
Locals scoop Weedbusters award

WELLINGTON — The Nga Uruora Kapiti Project has scooped a regional Weedbusters award for over a decade weed control on the steep escarpments between Porirua and Waikanae.

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Conservation 3 Oct 2012
Possum control in Masterton's QEII Park

MASTERTON — Two nights of spot-lighting in Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park by Greater Wellington pest control officer Murry Clark resulted in 35 dead possums.

Miniature Train Society member and MDC officer Stephen Simonek and Greater Wellington pest control officer Murry Clark after September's possum cull at Masterton's Queen Elizabeth Park.

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Water 29 Sep 2012
The tap's back on for water storage lake

WELLINGTON — The turn of a tap last Friday signalled the start of filling for Greater Wellington’s newly-strengthened and enlarged southern water storage lake at Te Marua, which has been empty since September last year.

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Council 27 Sep 2012
Focus on effective core services outlined in Annual Report

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council has adopted its Annual Report for the 2011-12 financial year that ended on 30 June 2012.

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Transport 27 Sep 2012
Greater Wellington pursues purchase of more Matangi trains

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council will pursue purchasing more Matangi trains to replace the ageing Ganz Mavag fleet.

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Council 26 Sep 2012
Greater Wellington to move from earthquake prone premises

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council will be relocating from its earthquake prone premises in Wakefield Street.

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Council 20 Sep 2012
News from Wairarapa Councillor Gary McPhee

WELLINGTON — Opinions are like belly buttons.

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Transport 20 Sep 2012
Public transport fares increase 1 October 2012

WELLINGTON — Wellington region’s public transport users are being encouraged to buy multi-trip tickets or stored value cards in preparation for an increase to most bus, train and harbour ferry fares next month.

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Water 14 Sep 2012
Water supply improvement for Wellington's western suburbs

WELLINGTON — Work to improve the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s bulk water supply pipeline between Ngauranga and Karori will begin on 24 September, taking up to seven weeks.

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Transport 11 Sep 2012
Wairarapa bus changes take effect 30 September

WAIRARAPA — Changes to Wairarapa bus services, including a new Masterton East bus route, more bus services between Woodside Station and Greytown, and the removal of some poorly patronised services will take effect from Sunday 30 September 2012.

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Transport 10 Sep 2012
Still time to give feedback on Metlink fare system

WELLINGTON — If you use public transport in the Wellington region there’s still a few days left to give us some initial feedback on possible changes to how Metlink train, bus and harbour ferry fares are set.

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Environment 5 Sep 2012
Rook sightings help with control

WELLINGTON — A tip-off about a rookery near Park Road in Carterton in August is just the sort information Greater Wellington pest control officer Steve Playle is after in the bid to eradicate rooks from Wairarapa.

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Technology 3 Sep 2012
Plan your walking or cycling journey with your mobile app

WELLINGTON — You can now plan or change your walking or cycling journey en route with the Walk Cycle Wellington mobile app.

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Pets 31 Aug 2012
Important information for dog owners

WELLINGTON — Dog owners are advised to be extra vigilant in and around the Rimutaka Ranges following the completion of a large aerial possum poisoning operation yesterday (30 August, 2012).

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Business 24 Aug 2012
Government's Advanced Technology Institute proposal welcomed

WELLINGTON — The Wellington Regional Strategy Committee today welcomed the announcement of the Establishment Board for the government’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) which identifies the Wellington region as one of the three key locations for the institute.

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Transport 24 Aug 2012
Wellington's trains: replace or refurbish?

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and the NZ Transport Agency announced today they intend to replace rather than refurbish the existing Ganz Mavag trains to complete the region’s peak train requirements.

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Council 20 Aug 2012
The varied role of Wairarapa's councillor

WELLINGTON — Making a century-old replica of a gas-lamp post fitting is one of the more unusual public duties for Greater Wellington’s Wairarapa councillor Gary McPhee.

Cr McPhee and the historic gas-light fitting he made.

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Transport 18 Aug 2012
Basin Reserve improvements imperative for region's future

WELLINGTON — The Basin Reserve is one of the biggest traffic jams in the region and the separation of traffic flows around it is vital to keep the Wellington region moving physically and economically, says Fran Wilde, Chair of the Wellington Regional Transport Committee.

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Conservation 17 Aug 2012
All invited to Honda-GWRC planting day

WELLINGTON — Honda New Zealand and the Greater Wellington Regional Council are inviting keen members of the public to roll up their sleeves for a Honda TreeFund planting day in Belmont Regional Park on Saturday 25 August.

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Transport 15 Aug 2012
Wellington's long-term public transport options down to three

WELLINGTON — Two bus options and one light rail option through the centre of Wellington and along Adelaide Road to Newtown have been found to have the most merit for a future high quality public transport spine between Wellington Railway Station and the Regional Hospital.

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Transport 13 Aug 2012
Naenae Station re-opens Monday 27 August

WELLINGTON — A new-look Naenae Station will re-open on Monday 27 August 2012.

An artist's impression of the new-look Naenae Station.

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Transport 10 Aug 2012
Plan to keep commuter train on track heard by Minister

WELLINGTON — A high powered delegation of local government chairs, mayors and chief executives met with Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee last night in an attempt to keep the wheels turning on the commuter train service between Palmerston North and Wellington.

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Traffic 3 Aug 2012
Riverstone Terraces residents to get trial bus service

UPPER HUTT — The first ever bus service for Riverstone Terraces residents in Upper Hutt will be trialled later this year.

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Environment 26 Jul 2012
Kakariki Stream polluted again

WELLINGTON — Waikanae’s Kakariki Stream was the victim of potentially hazardous pollution earlier this week.

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Transport 25 Jul 2012
Initial feedback on public transport fares wanted

WELLINGTON — Public transport users in the Wellington region are being encouraged to give their feedback on possible changes to how Metlink bus, train and harbour ferry fares are calculated and the kinds of discounts that could be available.

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Conservation 23 Jul 2012
Planting to protect fresh water

About 30 keen planters put in 4000 native plants along a two kilometre strip of the Ruamahanga Cut-off on Mike McCreary’s farm in South Wairarapa yesterday.

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Conservation 23 Jul 2012
Robins return to Wainuiomata after a 120-year absence

WAINUIOMATA — The Greater Wellington Regional Council returned North Island robins to the spectacular Wainuiomata Mainland Island today, for the first time since the 1890s.

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Water 16 Jul 2012
Rainwater tanks important for emergency preparedness

WELLINGTON — A rainwater tank installed at home could save you a lot of grief in the event of a full-scale emergency.

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Flooding 12 Jul 2012
Wellington - highest rate of sea-level rise in NZ

WELLINGTON — Two reports released today show Wellington has the highest rate of sea-level rise in New Zealand and highlight areas in the region that are vulnerable to coastal flooding over the next 100 years.

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Water 10 Jul 2012
Wairarapa Water Use Project Intensifies

WELLINGTON — Investigations into the potential for the Wairarapa valley to store water in the winter and distribute it for a variety of community and agricultural uses during the dry season have intensified.

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News 2 Jul 2012
Going, going, gone - Trade Me train sold!

WELLINGTON — One of Wellington’s English Electric trains now has a proud new owner in Nelson and will probably be converted into some form of accommodation, following a successful Trade Me auction which closed this afternoon.

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Transport 2 Jul 2012
Let's Carpool gets The Nudge to go nationwide

WELLINGTON — Wellington band The Nudge has teamed up with Greater Wellington to promote carpooling nationwide.

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Water 29 Jun 2012
Changes to bulk water levy

WELLINGTON — An accelerated resilience programme and the need to keep debt at a reasonable level have resulted in a 3% increase in the bulk water levy for the Porirua, Wellington, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt city councils.

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Council 28 Jun 2012
Greater Wellington's success at national public sector awards

WELLINGTON — A ground-breaking approach to natural resource planning by Greater Wellington Regional Council and the iwi of the region has won an award at the Gen-I Public Sector Excellence awards run by the Institute of Public Administration, while its bulk water business received special recognition.

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Council 28 Jun 2012
Wellington Regional Stadium Trust appointments

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council and Wellington City Council, the two partners in the Wellington Regional Stadium Trust this week reappointed Chris Moller and Sir John Anderson as trustees and appointed John Shewan to the vacancy that will be created when Paul Collins, the Trust’s current chairperson, retires.

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Transport 27 Jun 2012
Regular, small fare increases necessary

WELLINGTON — Regular and small increases to Wellington region’s public transport fares over the next few years are needed to meet costs and ensure increases are shared as evenly and fairly as possible, says Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee.

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Council 27 Jun 2012
Regional Council reduces proposed rates increase

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council has shaved nearly one percent off its proposed rates increase for the coming year, following hearings of submissions to its Long Term Plan.

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Council 22 Jun 2012
Wellington Regional Strategy refreshed

WELLINGTON — A refreshed Wellington Regional Strategy (WRS) was today approved by the WRS Committee.

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Transport 22 Jun 2012
All aboard the last English Electric train service

WELLINGTON — The English Electric trains’ 74-year connection with Wellington will end on Monday 25 June when the long-serving trains take their last passengers.

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Transport 22 Jun 2012
We need Transmission Gully asap

WELLINGTON — The independent Board of Inquiry’s final approval of the Transmission Gully route north of Wellington is great news after almost fifty years of debate about the route, says Fran Wilde, Chair of Greater Wellington Regional Council.

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Environment 20 Jun 2012
Managing rivers - a joint effort

WELLINGTON — By Wairarapa Councillor Gary McPhee Who manages the rivers? You might ask yourself who looks after the rivers in Wairarapa? At first glance it looks like people on bulldozers and diggers taking instructions from people in high-vis vests.

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Environment 15 Jun 2012
Wellington region's air, land and water - state and trends

WELLINGTON — Our region’s air is clean in most places, we’ve plenty of good soils, and nearly all the beaches we monitor are safe to swim on most occasions.

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Council 13 Jun 2012
Regional Council representation review process to start

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council today launched a process to examine the numbers of elected Councillors and the parts of the region they represent.

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Environment 29 May 2012
Trees healing river catchments

WELLINGTON — Visiting three farms with substantial streamside plantings to improve water quality was the highlight of the "Trees healing river catchments" workshop in Carterton last week.

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Transport 25 May 2012
Otaki bus changes from 5 June

WELLINGTON — From Tuesday 5 June 2012 Otaki residents will have a direct service each weekday to and from Coastlands and new Sunday bus services between Otaki and Waikanae.

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Government 24 May 2012
Wellington Local Government Review Panel announced

WELLINGTON — Porirua City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council today announced the membership of a Review Panel appointed to recommend a possible new structure for local government in the Wellington region, and also released the agreed terms of reference for that Panel.

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Government 21 May 2012
Wellington region review panel terms of reference announced

WELLINGTON — Draft Terms of Reference have been released for the Independent Panel on Local Government in the Wellington region.

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Council 16 May 2012
Greater Wellington a finalist for two IPANZ excellence awards

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council has been selected as a finalist in two of the Institute of Public Administration in New Zealand’s (IPANZ) annual excellence awards.

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Cycling 9 May 2012
Your guide to Wellington's best & brightest bike lights

WELLINGTON — If you think all bicycle lights are much of a muchness, you may need to think again.

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Environment 7 May 2012
Possum control in the Rimutaka Ranges

WELLINGTON — The Animal Health Board (AHB) and Greater Wellington Regional Council (GW) will be joining forces later this month to put nearly 30,000 hectares of the Rimutaka Range under possum control.

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Water 3 May 2012
Region's success at "use a bit less"

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington is hailing the efforts of water users across Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington, with summer water use hitting its lowest level in over 15 years.

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Transport 3 May 2012
Fare options up for public discussion later this year

WELLINGTON — Possible off-peak fares for all Metlink bus, train and harbour ferry services, fewer fare zones and more flexible smartcard features are some of the options that people will be asked for feedback on later this year as part of Greater Wellington’s public transport fare structure review.

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Transport 30 Apr 2012
Eight public transport options to be further investigated for Wellington

WELLINGTON — Eight options, including bus, light rail and heavy rail, will be investigated further as part of the Wellington Public Transport Spine Study.

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Deaths 29 Apr 2012
Bus driver tragedy likely to affect Valley Flyer bus services

WELLINGTON — “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of a Valley Flyer bus driver after he was attacked while he was working last night.  Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and loved ones and everyone at the Valley Flyer bus company,” says Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee  which oversees public transport.

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Transport 28 Apr 2012
Remedial work at Naenae Station

WELLINGTON — Greater Wellington Regional Council and KiwiRail are carrying out platform and subway access repairs and a shelter replacement at Naenae Station on the Hutt Valley line to further ensure passengers’ safety and improve access.

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Transport 23 Apr 2012
Bus feedback analysis due in six weeks

WELLINGTON CITY — A full analysis of people’s feedback on proposed changes to Wellington City bus services is expected to take another four to six weeks, says Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee.

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News 13 Apr 2012
Castle Hill Wind Farm consent application preliminary decision

WELLINGTON — The Hearing Commissioners on the Castle Hill Wind Farm (CHWF) issued their preliminary consent decision today (13 April 2012), indicating consent is likely to be granted for the proposed development.

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Transport 2 Apr 2012
New bus & ferry contracting model welcomed

WELLINGTON — The new contracting model for buses and ferries, announced by the Minister of Transport, is a welcome move that will benefit  Wellington public transport users, operators and planners, says Peter Glensor, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Economic Wellbeing Committee which oversees public transport.

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News 24 Feb 2012
Harakeke is back

WELLINGTON CITY — The annual Harakeke Flax Weaving on the Coast event is back at Queen Elizabeth Park on Saturday 3 March, providing people with an opportunity to experience the world of Māori weavers.

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