Coughlan to set up Capital City Infrastructure Advisory Group and take package to the Beehive

Wellington Mayoral candidate Jo Coughlan said today that as Mayor, she will go to central government with a Capital City Infrastructure Package Proposal and bring together the key Wellington organisations involved in infrastructure as a team to support the city’s ambition.

“I want the government to listen to the needs of Wellington for infrastructure. We are the Capital city. That’s why I will be engaging with the Prime Minister, senior ministers and party leaders on Wellington’s behalf. We are a growing capital city that needs important infrastructure to ensure that we future proof the city over the next half century or so. Not only is this good for the capital city, but it’s good for all New Zealand. Central government has a critical part to play.

“If elected mayor, I will invite a high level group of Chairpersons and/or CEO’s of the key infrastructure organisations including, but not necessarily limited to, Wellington Airport, Port of Wellington, Wellington Water, Wellington Electricity, Kiwi rail, and Chorus, to be part of my Capital City Infrastructure Advisory Group.

We have some key projects including:

• Double tunnelling The Terrace and Mt Victoria tunnels

• Roading projects

• Public transport

• Airport runway expansion

• Harbourside cycleway

• Film museum and convention centre

• Water supply and wastewater

• Resilience projects

• Port dredging and access

• Broadband

“These are critical projects to the city’s future. Funding will need to come from various sources but we need to ensure that Wellington gets its fair share of central government funding. It’s better if we work together as a city than in separate silos.

As mayor I will lead this by pulling the players together as a team to work with me and the rest of council to make sure Government understands the capital city’s needs and plans.” Ms Coughlan concluded.

Contact: Councillor Jo Coughlan 021 522142

Note to Editors:

Jo Coughlan – Bio:
Jo Coughlan was elected to council in 2007 and has represented the Onslow Western Ward for three terms. Since re-election in October 2010 she has led the city's Economic Development Strategy as Economic Portfolio Leader and Chair of the Economic Growth and Arts Committee. Jo was a Director of Positively Wellington Tourism, which has now merged into WREDA.
Jo is married and has six children aged 13 to 24. She has a degree in Biochemistry from Otago University.
Jo's business, Silvereye Communications, provides PR and government relations advice to a range of public and private clients both in NZ and offshore.
Prior to establishing her own business, Jo has held senior communications roles in the public and private sector; and worked as a Press Secretary for NZ Foreign Minister Sir Don McKinnon.
Jo Co-Chair’s the New Zealand Chinese Language Week Charitable Trust and Chairs the Life Education Trust Wellington City. Jo has just stepped down, after six years, as Deputy Chair of The National Board of Life Education which provides health education to over 250,000 children nationally with 50 mobile classrooms across 30 trusts nationwide.
In 2015 Jo was a Finalist in two categories in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards. In 2009 she was a Finalist in Wellington's Women in Business - Best New Business Award.
Jo was formerly involved in crèche and kindergarten committees, coached primary school netball for 10 years, and led a fundraising appeal for secondary school rowing.

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