Golden Mile and Courtney Place Pathways for Intervention

Business Central and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce welcome the opportunity to comment on the future of the Golden Mile project.

We support investment in Wellington's city centre and recognise the important role a vibrant CBD plays in supporting economic growth, business confidence, employment, visitor activity and Wellington's attractiveness as New Zealand's capital city.

Business Central's Green Light Economy report identifies city revitalisation as a key priority for Wellington's economic future, recognising that improvements to public amenity, safety and the visitor experience will help attract people back into the city centre and support private investment and growth.

Having considered the independent review before Council, we support the recommendation to discontinue the current 2021-approved scope for the Golden Mile project. The review identifies material concerns regarding affordability, delivery risk and value for money. These concerns provide a strong basis for reconsidering the most effective way to achieve the intended outcomes.

For this reason, we support the recommendation to develop a new business case through early engagement with businesses, property owners and other key stakeholders to ensure future investment is affordable, deliverable and reflects the needs of those most affected.

Courtenay Place should remain a priority for future investment. Improving its amenity, safety and visitor experience will strengthen business confidence and contribute to wider city centre revitalisation.

Improving amenity, safety and the overall visitor experience will help strengthen confidence, support local businesses and contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of the city centre. Maintaining the status quo is unlikely to deliver Wellington's economic objectives.

Wellington's long-term success depends on a city centre that supports economic activity, attracts investment, encourages visitation and provides confidence for businesses to grow.

We encourage Council to support the recommendations before it and progress a targeted, affordable and deliverable programme for revitalising the city centre.