Transforming the Golden Mile is one step closer

The plan presents the case for change to Wellington’s central city, outlining how the preferred option of ‘Transform’ would significantly change the road layout from Courtenay Place to Lambton Quay, creating vibrant, attractive and wider pedestrian spaces, bus lanes, dedicated areas for bikes and scooters and removing private motor vehicles.

The approval of the preliminary designs by Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will release the funding to begin more detailed design for the project. This will involve further engagement on the preliminary design changes proposed for the Golden Mile.

“We have heard loud and clear that Wellingtonians want the central city to be safer and more attractive and accessible. We also heard that people want to get around safely and easily by walking, bike or public transport, while still ensuring good access for businesses,” says Let’s Get Wellington Moving Acting Programme Director, David Dunlop.

“Now we’re progressing to finer details of the Golden Mile project, we will address concerns about access and service delivery, while designing the Golden Mile to connect people across the central city with a reliable transport and an attractive pedestrian environment.

“The Golden Mile is a key project of the Let’s Get Wellington Moving programme. We will need guidance from retailers and the business community to make it a reality. The Let’s Get Wellington Moving vision for Wellington is a great harbour city, accessible to all, with attractive places, shared streets, efficient local and regional journeys.

To realise this vision and help work towards the goal of becoming a net zero carbon capital by 2050, we need to move more people with fewer vehicles.

“This is an incredible opportunity to create the city we want for our future. The Golden Mile is the retail and hospitality heart of the central city. Transforming it is crucial for future growth. We need to make our city a better place to be and provide options for people to get around without using their car,” says David Dunlop.

In 2020, nearly 2,000 people provided feedback on proposals, with the majority indicating that they wanted to see the Golden Mile ‘Transformed’. In June 2021, Let’s Get Wellington Moving announced its preference for the transform option for Wellington’s Golden Mile, but that further development of this option was required. 

The business case will be considered by Wellington City Council’s Planning & Environment committee on Wednesday 27 October, before going to Greater Wellington Regional Council on 28 October and the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on 25 November. Once approved, Let’s Get Wellington Moving will move forward with detailed design, talking with businesses and occupants of the Golden Mile precinct and its side streets, as well as the public in 2022.

The Golden Mile stretches from Lambton Quay to Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. It is Wellington’s prime employment, shopping and entertainment destination and the City’s busiest pedestrian area and main bus corridor, with most of the city’s bus routes passing along all or part of the Golden Mile every day.