Latest news with #EnvironmentandInfrastructureCommittee
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Housing Boost For Wellington As WCC Extends Te KaingaW
Press Release – Wellington City Council The Committee approved Councillor Geordie Rogers amendment to the Housing Action Plan, seconded by Councillor Rebecca Matthews, which will extend Te Kainga by five years and increase the supply of affordable rental properties in Wellington. In a move to tackle housing affordability, Wellington City Council's Environment and Infrastructure Committee today voted 14-4 to extend the successful Te Kainga programme to 2033, paving the way for an extra 500 affordable rental homes. The Committee approved Councillor Geordie Rogers' amendment to the Housing Action Plan, seconded by Councillor Rebecca Matthews, which will extend Te Kainga by five years and increase the supply of affordable rental properties in Wellington. The decision adds five years to the two-year extension, starting in 2026, that officers had recommended. 'This decision extends our commitment to addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in Wellington,' says Cr Rogers. 'Housing people in our city centre creates vibrancy, reduces the city's emissions, and comes at no cost to ratepayers.' 'Te Kainga has already had a positive impact, and this extension builds on that success,' says Cr Matthews. Mayor Tory Whanau said the commitment to 1,500 new affordable rental homes represented a significant step in tackling housing affordability in Wellington. 'Working with our partners, we are making real progress in addressing one of our city's most pressing challenges and creating a more equitable Wellington for all,' says Mayor Whanau. Under Te Kainga, the Council partners with building owners to convert former office buildings into quality, family-friendly, affordable rental housing. The initiative aims to provide long-term affordable rentals in the city. Te Kainga currently has 290 apartments, including 78 that are in partnership with Victoria University. The upcoming addition of 183 new apartments, agreed upon by the Council for later this year, will bring the programme to nearly half of its initial goal of 1000 units by 2026. Besides providing affordable rentals, Te Kainga repurposes vacant commercial and office buildings, improving their earthquake safety. Sense Partners' research showed that the programme is also expected to bring several economic benefits, including savings on transport costs and more efficient use of city infrastructure.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Housing Boost For Wellington As WCC Extends Te KaingaW
In a move to tackle housing affordability, Wellington City Council's Environment and Infrastructure Committee today voted 14-4 to extend the successful Te Kainga programme to 2033, paving the way for an extra 500 affordable rental homes. The Committee approved Councillor Geordie Rogers' amendment to the Housing Action Plan, seconded by Councillor Rebecca Matthews, which will extend Te Kainga by five years and increase the supply of affordable rental properties in Wellington. The decision adds five years to the two-year extension, starting in 2026, that officers had recommended. 'This decision extends our commitment to addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in Wellington,' says Cr Rogers. 'Housing people in our city centre creates vibrancy, reduces the city's emissions, and comes at no cost to ratepayers.' 'Te Kainga has already had a positive impact, and this extension builds on that success,' says Cr Matthews. Mayor Tory Whanau said the commitment to 1,500 new affordable rental homes represented a significant step in tackling housing affordability in Wellington. 'Working with our partners, we are making real progress in addressing one of our city's most pressing challenges and creating a more equitable Wellington for all,' says Mayor Whanau. Under Te Kainga, the Council partners with building owners to convert former office buildings into quality, family-friendly, affordable rental housing. The initiative aims to provide long-term affordable rentals in the city. Te Kainga currently has 290 apartments, including 78 that are in partnership with Victoria University. The upcoming addition of 183 new apartments, agreed upon by the Council for later this year, will bring the programme to nearly half of its initial goal of 1000 units by 2026. Besides providing affordable rentals, Te Kainga repurposes vacant commercial and office buildings, improving their earthquake safety. Sense Partners' research showed that the programme is also expected to bring several economic benefits, including savings on transport costs and more efficient use of city infrastructure.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stagecoach takes over island's bus services
UK-based bus operator Stagecoach has taken over the running of Guernsey's bus services. The firm in September 2024 secured a five-year tender to take over from previous island operator CT Plus. Environment and Infrastructure Committee Vice-President Deputy Adrian Gabriel said he was expecting a "smooth transition" in the coming weeks with new buses also in the pipeline. He said there was "strength in using a national provider" with experience operating in rural communities "similar to that of Guernsey". Stagecoach will take on most of the staff from CT Plus, which had run the service since 2012. Gabriel said there would be no change to the livery of the existing buses, and talks were being finalised to bring a number of new States-owned buses. Two Stagecoach-branded buses will also join the fleet from this week to ensure services run at capacity. A new website, Facebook page and app had previously been announced. Stagecoach is set to run the service for the next five years, after which it can opt to continue for a further two years. Where recruiting drivers has been in issue in the past, Gabriel said he was confident Stagecoach had the experience to address any future staffing challenges. "They have drivers and contingency measures in the UK to draw on," he said. The States said there would be no immediate changes to bus routes or fares as part of the new contract. Any credit or time remaining on existing Puffinpasses will also be carried forward to use on the new services. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to New website for buses when operator changes Guernsey bus prices rise by up to 15% States of Guernsey Stagecoach
