NEWS RELEASE
21 August 2007

Wellington Waterfront Ltd Chairperson Fran Wilde has resigned after four yesrs in the role. She will stand down on 29 August.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast says she wants to publicly thank Ms Wilde on behalf of all Wellingtonians for her hard work in driving the waterfront development forward.

"The consistently high ratings the waterfront achieves in public opinion surveys shows without a doubt that the greatest reward Fran can receive for her dedication to developing the waterfront is the gratitude of Wellingtonians, and she certainly has that."

Ms Prendergast says the waterfront area elicits strong emotions from all areas of the community and trying to balance the competing interests of all waterfront users has not been easy.

"But Fran's strength and leadership has helped us to find a way forward and to make fantastic progress.  The concept designs for all areas have been completed and we have seen many come to fruition under her leadership including Waitangi Park, the Odlin, Free Ambulance and Herd Street building refurbishments and Wellington's first new commercial green building nearly completion on Site 7 north of Queens Wharf."

Ms Wilde says she has enjoyed her work with the Board and Management of WWL and looks forward to the day when the construction work is complete " and i can visit the waterfront with fellow Wellingtonians and visitors to enjoy what many rightfully describe as the jewel in Wellington's crown."

Mayor Prendergast says a replacement for Ms Wilde is currently under consideration.