Latest news with #RebeccaMatthews
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.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Go-Ahead Given To Finalise Ground-Lease Sale Negotiations
Press Release – Wellington City Council Todays debate and vote on the ground leases was closed to the public given the commercially-confidential nature of the negotiations. The Council will also not identify the individual sites until sales are completed, at which point further information … Wellington City Council has voted today to give the go-ahead to finalise negotiations on the sale of nine central-city sites owned by the Council and leased to private commercial occupiers. The sale of the ground leases is part of the Council's financial strategy and the proceeds of the sale will be used to capitalise the Council's proposed Disaster Resilience Fund – designed to give the city the financial ability to recover and rebuild after a large earthquake or other disaster. These funds will not be used to pay down debt nor fund any Council projects. Today's debate and vote on the ground leases was closed to the public given the commercially-confidential nature of the negotiations. The Council will also not identify the individual sites until sales are completed, at which point further information will be made available. The ground leases date back to the 19th century when the City Council and the Wellington Harbour Board reclaimed large areas of land – most on the seaward side of Lambton Quay and Willis Street. The Council leased individual reclaimed sites, most on 21-year perpetually-recurring leases, enabling the expansion of the central business district. Long-Term Plan and Finance Committee Chair Rebecca Matthews said that the sale of ground leases to capitalise a Disaster Resilience Fund is a key step to build the Council's financial resilience. 'Council has been clear we need to diversify and build a long-term fund to respond to disasters. We are taking this action to make our city more secure and resilient for generations to come.'
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Go-Ahead Given To Finalise Ground-Lease Sale Negotiations
Wellington City Council has voted today to give the go-ahead to finalise negotiations on the sale of nine central-city sites owned by the Council and leased to private commercial occupiers. The sale of the ground leases is part of the Council's financial strategy and the proceeds of the sale will be used to capitalise the Council's proposed Disaster Resilience Fund – designed to give the city the financial ability to recover and rebuild after a large earthquake or other disaster. These funds will not be used to pay down debt nor fund any Council projects. Today's debate and vote on the ground leases was closed to the public given the commercially-confidential nature of the negotiations. The Council will also not identify the individual sites until sales are completed, at which point further information will be made available. The ground leases date back to the 19th century when the City Council and the Wellington Harbour Board reclaimed large areas of land – most on the seaward side of Lambton Quay and Willis Street. The Council leased individual reclaimed sites, most on 21-year perpetually-recurring leases, enabling the expansion of the central business district. Long-Term Plan and Finance Committee Chair Rebecca Matthews said that the sale of ground leases to capitalise a Disaster Resilience Fund is a key step to build the Council's financial resilience. 'Council has been clear we need to diversify and build a long-term fund to respond to disasters. We are taking this action to make our city more secure and resilient for generations to come.'
