Ros Connelly - Greater Wellington Regional Councillor
This is my second year as Upper Hutt’s representative on the Greater Wellington Regional Council, so here is my second annual report.
It’s been a challenging year, as we face the changes COVID will mean for our foreseeable future. COVID has affected Greater Wellington
Regional Council – especially our public transport operations. It meant a return to virtual meetings, which I still haven’t learned to love.
But despite the challenges, this year has seen many successes for Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Here are just a few of the highlights:
• The appointment of a new Chief Executive
• A Long Term Plan that will reduce regional council emissions by two thirds
• The creation of a $10 million dollar low carbon fund with over $2 million allocated this year to restore wetlands and forests in Raumati and Kaitoke
• Funding for a Living Wage base rate for all bus drivers and support for better driver pay and conditions
• New train stations at Trentham and Wallaceville, plus the installation of four new Upper Hutt bus shelters and the enhancement/renewal of 13 other Upper Hutt bus stops
• Restoring a cheaper public-run airport bus service, ready to roll by July 2022 (I proposed this service be extended to the Hutt Valley but this motion was not passed)
• A trial with Snapper on rail to be delivered by the end of 2021 ahead of integrated ticketing
• A Council commitment to pursue a threatened-species sanctuary in Wainuiomata
• An aerial predator control operation to protect the ecosystem (ancient rata in particular) in the Akatarawa Forest
• The purchase of 98 new electric buses
• A plan for our regional parks that commits to the phasing-out of animal grazing
• Consents lodged for the Riverlink project (the Greater Wellington, Hutt City and Waka Kotahi project to improve access and flood protection at Melling)
• Completion of the Whanganui-a-tara Whaitua – a plan for Fresh Water Management in the Hutt Valley and Wellington
• Fast response and action to restore the riverbank and river trail between Heretaunga and Trentham following flood damage
• The opening of a new, wheelchair-accessible bridge in the Kaitoke regional park
• Awhi for the development of Te Matarau a Maui – a Wellington regional Maori economic development strategy
• Helping with the COVID vaccination drive (through provision of the Delta BUSter mobile vaccination bus and supporting Kokiri Hauora to vaccinate the Hutt)
Please contact me if you want to talk about anything in this report or have questions or issues with which I can help.
Email: ros.connelly@gw.govt.nz
Facebook: fb.me/rosconnellyforupperhutt
Instagram: @rosconnelly
Have you got a great recipe for feijoas?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for feijoas, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our March 2025 issue.
Favourite holiday finds
Hi there,
We're putting together an article on Kiwis' favourite holiday finds, and would love to hear about any great new places you discovered on your holidays and are happy to share.
It could be a beach you'd never been to before, a walking track you'd never tried, a town that pleasantly surprised you or a particularly good cafe, restaurant or bar. Please feel free to comment here or to message me directly. Please put 'NFP' in your comment or message if you do not want your name or suggestion published.
Thank you very much in advance.
Have you got an amazing shed? Show us!
Last year, Whangārei's Angela Lucas and Mike Mattin, pictured here with Cashew, saw their “tilted” shed named Resene Shed of the Year. They received a $1599 GARDENA SILENO City 250 robot lawnmower and $1000 worth of Resene paints/wood stains, as well as a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. This year's prizes are up for grabs, so it's time to send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops.
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