Let’s Get Wellington Moving

Key Facts

• Let’s Get Wellington Moving will transform the capital’s transport system and kickstart decarbonisation
• Working in partnership with mana whenua has been critical to the success of the project
• Development of  messages and outcomes the public could relate to was critical in gaining public support. 

How can we decarbonise transport in Wellington?

Let’s Get Wellington Moving is a once-in-generation opportunity to shape our capital city, prioritise multi-modal transport and take a vital step in decarbonising our transport system. Wellington City Council estimates that an extra 50,000 to 80,000 people will call Wellington City home by 2050, putting further pressure on the region’s transport systems. Issues in the system include growing congestion, unreliable journey times, poor and declining levels of service, safety issues and disruption due to unplanned natural disasters.

Delivering integrated, city-shaping projects that achieve an accelerated carbon reduction

WSP delivered the Travel Behaviour Change Business Case. The business case seeks to achieve and accelerate carbon reduction through interventions to change travel behaviour in the current state, during construction and for the future.

The evidence base for behaviour change is compelling and projects such as the Golden Mile, Parking Levy or Congestion Charging will have a significant impact on decarbonisation of Wellington City and the wider Region.

WSP, alongside partners Aurecon and Stantec, are delivering the Golden Mile project and the Transformational Programme (Strategic Highway Improvements and Mass Rapid Transit).

The Transformational Programme under the directorship of David Dunlop has shifted from two discrete transport projects to an integrated city shaping project.

Working towards a single vision

The Let’s Get Wellington Moving Partners are working towards a clear single vision for the project, which prioritises urban development, transport, and integrated solutions. WSP and Partners to align mana whenua values, key stakeholders, assets owners and partners, which has in turn lead to a corresponding increase in support for the programme and the outcomes desired from it.

Let’s Get Wellington Moving has three broad programmes of work:

1)  A three-year programme of delivery, changing how people move into and around the city, including faster bus travel and improved walking and cycling facilities on the busiest and most important transport and public amenity corridors within the City.
2)  The City Streets programme will improve ways for Wellingtonians to bus, wheel or walk on 19 key routes between the city and suburbs. This programme of works is far reaching and will provide improvements in advance of significant investment in the Transformation Programme to provide alternatives during construction and better longer-term alternatives to private motor vehicle travel.
3)  The Transformational Programme is a longer-term integrated urban development and transport system which will include Mass Rapid Transit, Basin Reserve Improvements, an extra Mt Victoria Tunnel and a Smarter Transport Network. Fundamental to this solution is intensified urban development along the Mass Rapid Transit corridor between the CBD and the south, linking Newtown and Wellington Hospital.

Working with Mana Whenua

Mana whenua involvement has been critical to the project. Representatives from mana whenua iwi Taranaki Whānui and Ngāti Toa participate in governance and are part of an Iwi Working Group who are integrated into project planning, design and delivery. The project has adopted seven values which have informed specific outcomes including the design principles for the Golden Mile.

Social licencing to operate

Community, business and stakeholder engagement has been regular and robust; in 2021 Wellingtonians were consulted on:

• Improvements to Thorndon Quay and Hutt Road
• Four options to transform Wellington with mass rapid transit
• Improvements at Basin Reserve and an extra Mt Victoria Tunnel
• Consultation on safer speeds on SH1 east of Mt Victoria and a safe crossing for Cobham Drive
• The upgrade of fifteen intersections in the Wellington CBD

The outcome

WSP has integrated public transport planning and systems thinking into all our planning and design solutions to improve outcomes for all transport users (including essential vehicle trips). The provision of high-quality public transport as part of the programme, will provide greater capacity, improved journey times, a better customer experience, and improved amenity for users, residents and businesses.

As Programme Director, David Dunlop worked closely with the Wellington Leadership Committee (including Ministers of Housing and Transport) to gain recognition of the importance intensification has in delivering an integrated outcome for future growth that minimises carbon emissions. The integrated Urban Development Programme incorporates housing, commercial development, and systems thinking in terms of transport solutions.

The Programme is already realising safety and accessibility benefits for pedestrians and cyclists through changes in central city speeds and intersection improvements.

This is once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference for Wellingtonians and future generations, David and the WSP team are extremely proud to be leading the way towards a decarbonised and vibrant City.

Scope of services:

WSP has delivered a broad range of services to LGWM from specialist Mass Rapid Transit, Technology and Resilience advice in the Programme Business Case phase, through to David’s current role as Acting Programme Director (2021-22). In the current phase, WSP have:

• Led the Travel Behaviour Change Single Stage Business Case (SSBC) (2020-22)
• Led the business case and detail design for the SH1 Cobham Crossing (2020-22)
• Worked in Partnership with Future Group to deliver:
  • Golden Mile SSBC and detail design (2019-22),
  • Strategic Highways Indicative Business Case (2020-22)
  • Aotea Quay Roundabout detail design (2022)