Annual plan 2026
What do we want WCC to spend money on? The topic for our April meeting, come along and share your views.
The Mayor and councillor recently released their 3 year plan on what they want – does it align?
Pedestrian crossing changes outside the Embassy
Wellington City Council has changed the pedestrian crossing outside the Embassy theatre as the first phase of the Golden Mile improvements at Courtenay Place. This work was completed in late 2025. As yet the only part of the new changes in use is the cyclelane through the middle of the new crossing. Pedestrians will have to wait until phase 2 of the Golden Mile project occurs for the pedestrian crossing to start operation. In the meantime we have noticed an increase in the number of cyclists illegally using the footpaths in this area – so another concern with the design has emerged.
Concerns were raised about the design of these changes including:
- the crossing moves south to align with the footpath on Courtenay Place (outside the recently demolished and now empty building site) so Embassy patrons and those from Majoribanks St will walk further and less directly to the bus stop
- there is no shelter on the narrower footpath (as there is now outside the theatre)
- the cycle lane has been rerouted through the middle of the pedestrian crossing on the Canal Reserve (bit in the middle) without traffic light control so there will be conflict between cyclists and pedestrians
- the waiting space on the Canal Reserve will be the same but cut in half (ie not the same at all)
- the pedestrian shelter will only provide partial shelter from northerlies (unlike the existing all-weather design across the whole width of the middle)
The issues that already exist at the crossing have not been addressed – that is, the crossing is too narrow with insufficient waiting space now, and the traffic light timings make it a very slow cross for pedestrians in two parts, and with cars turning through them.
We know it can be better than this.
An electronic-petition has been requested from WCC to save a safe crossing and a link will be posted here to sign (if it is approved). Residents it disappeared without a trace.
Later in the year we will be looking at what transport improvements we want in Mt Victoria. For more information email us on mtvicra@gmail.com
Walking-only tracks for Matairangi Mt Victoria Town Belt
We have heard from residents that they are constantly on the lookout for bikes in the park and sometimes don’t feel safe. We are working with the WCC on proposals for walk-only tracks in the park so that people on foot can have a pleasant vehicle-free experience. Where would you like to see these tracks?
This is work councillors asked for in 2022 after another mountain-bike only track was approved on the eastern side of Mt Victoria, adding to the other 12 mountain-bike only tracks. We are at the maximum number of tracks that can be comfortably accommodated on Matairangi without spoiling the natural feel of the park, so other options need to be explored.
Let us know via our contact page.
Footpaths in need of resurfacing
In 2026 we will devote a meeting to talking about what tranport improvements we want to see around our suburb. For instance we’ve spotted these paths that need resurfacing:
- Vogel Street
- Doctor’s Common
- Brougham St outside the school
Any others? Contact us and we’ll add them to our list!
More seating for Mt Victoria
Would you like to have more seats around Mt Victoria where you can rest a while and enjoy sunshine, views, watching the passers by, even the wind? Would you like public seats in other places?
In 2017 we put temporary chairs by the Monastery, on Brougham St East and West near Pirie St, and on Hania St by the Greek church. We ended up with new seats on the corner of Pirie and Hania St, outside the monastery and more recently on the corner of Earls Terrace.
Please tell us what you think via our contact form, by emailing mtvicra@gmail.com or on our Facebook page. Your feedback will help us request some funding in the City
Mt Victoria Residents Association 