Air quality tests at Mt Cook School show traffic fume levels within guidelines

Media Release, 7 July 2008

Results of air quality monitoring at Mt Cook School show that pollution levels from vehicle exhaust fumes fall well within health-based standards.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage commissioned the six-month project following concerns from the school about the impact of a proposed park in front of the National War Memorial in nearby Buckle Street.

The Ministry has delayed making decisions on the design of the park until the impact of one of the options – moving Buckle Street closer to the school – could be assessed.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) tested the levels of fine particulate matter (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

The findings showed concentrations for all three substances were under the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality, and the Greater Wellington Regional Ambient Air Quality Guideline.

A public health analysis from Environ Medical Services Ltd concluded the likelihood that a change would have adverse effects on health was extremely low.

The Ministry intends to issue a design brief for the park this month. Final designs will be available to interested parties for comment before they go before the selection panel in October.

The realignment of Buckle Street is only an option at this stage, depending on which design is chosen. If any major change is proposed there will be opportunity for public comment through the resource consent process.

The Memorial Park will join the adjacent National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior to create a cohesive ‘memorial precinct’ as a major focal point to commemorate New Zealand’s sacrifice during times of war.

The Wellington City Council is a co-funder of the park and Transit New Zealand is managing the construction. The budget of $18 million includes purchase of the land, road construction, landscaping, design, and project management.

Timetable

Below is a tentative timetable for the development for the park:

11 July – issue design brief to short-listed design teams
12 September – closing date for designs
19 September – design viewed and commented on by interested parties
26 September – meeting of Selection Panel
30 September – presentation of preferred design to Minister for approval
October – contract with winning design team
November/December - detailed design
January 2009 – submission of resource consent application if needed
March 2009 – construction commences
March 2010 – construction completed
April 2010 – dedication of the park

The above timetable makes no allowance for the possible need for a second phase to the design selection process or a lengthy resource consent process.

Reports

For more information contact:
Shona Geary, Senior Strategic Communications and Media Advisor, Ministry for Culture and Heritage 04 496 6185 / 027 256 7778

Brodie Stubbs, Manager, Heritage Operations, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, 04 496 6349