Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce
Media Statement

7 December 2013

Council on right track with CCO Amalgamation

The City Council’s proposal to merge Positively Wellington Tourism and Positively Wellington Venues is a positive step toward improving the city’s economic performance, says Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley.

“This is a bold but I believe sensible step.

“Bringing two of the main drivers of economic activity into one should result in a more
co-ordinated and highly tuned organisation which can better deliver on what the city needs from tourism and events.

“These are two of the city’s biggest strengths and we must do everything we can to ensure we don’t let anything slip past us.

“This is a step towards what we know works well in the New Zealand context. Feedback from the Auckland model is resoundingly positive and we would welcome further consideration to include the economic delivery arm too.

“I’m sure this move, if executed well, will bring the best of the marketing and organisational strengths of both entities to the same table, with positive outcomes.

“They naturally work together a lot so this move makes perfect sense.

"Freeing-up $500,000 from all this for other projects is also most welcome, but the Chamber does expect to see this money ring-fenced rather than going back into the council’s general coffers.

“The funders of both organisations – CBD businesses, via the Downtown Levy - will expect to see direct benefits from the savings, either by being returned to the contributors or through prudent investment. The businesses that contribute will expect consultation around the detail and 100 per cent transparency around this.

“It also makes sense to absorb Wellington Waterfront Ltd and Wellington Cable Car Ltd back into the council. There never seemed to be a good reason why they were out there on their own.

“Wellington City Council is well advanced in putting together the city’s draft annual plan; this shows good progress and a real commitment to deliver.

This announcement follows Chamber representatives meeting with elected councillors and senior officials, who presented a high level briefing of the plan.

“Our meeting was constructive, with robust conversation, and the Chamber looks forward to being fully engaged and involved to ensure this process to delivers the very best for Wellington City.”

ends

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