Officials have signalled Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) is headed towards a budget blowout as they try to get the transport project back on track.<\/p>\n
Last night funding partners met with the Minister of Transport after a review of the $6.4 billion project found it was at risk of failing.<\/p>\n
LGWM is a three-way partnership between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and Waka Kotahi NZTA.<\/p>\n
The programme’s governance structure and leadership team is getting a major shake-up as a result of the review.<\/p>\n
Alongside these immediate changes, work is also underway to address longer-term affordability issues and ensure the project has the funding it needs.<\/p>\n
Officials have signalled “likely increases in costs compared to the earlier Indicative Package”.<\/p>\n
The review, made public last month, found issues with the programme including leadership problems, a detrimental culture, and inadequate resourcing.<\/p>\n
Transport Minister Michael Wood said this was unacceptable.<\/p>\n
He gave officials a fortnight to come up with a plan to turn things around- a deadline that expired last week.<\/p>\n
The LGWM Partnership Board has issued a statement following the meeting with the minister last night.<\/p>\n
Their new plan includes dividing up some of programme director Andrew Body’s responsibilities.<\/p>\n
A deputy programme director and expert in helping teams work collaboratively in joint ventures will become part of the programme’s leadership team.<\/p>\n
An additional programme director will also be appointed to oversee a new short-term three-year programme to finally secure what were meant to be “quick wins”.<\/p>\n
These include walking and cycling improvements as well as bus priority measures.<\/p>\n
Specifically, this programme encompasses the Golden Mile, Thorndon Quay & Hutt Rd, the Cobham Drive crossing, and walking improvements in the central city.<\/p>\n
An independent chairperson will also be appointed to the board.<\/p>\n
The board acknowledged changes were needed to streamline decision-making and the programme’s governance structure.<\/p>\n
Members said they welcomed the next steps.<\/p>\n
Greater Wellington Regional Council chief executive Greg Campbell said the renewed focus would give Wellingtonians more confidence in the programme.<\/p>\n
“The scale of transformation has always been a little daunting until now. Making the programme more bite-size helps reduce that and build trust. People will be able to see what’s being tackled and when and how they can input to key deliverables.”<\/p>\n