Brady’s Plan: 30 Actions to Transform Lower Hutt

Line-by-Line Budget Review

Every council dollar will be scrutinised to ensure it’s spent on what matters most and delivers real value for money. By cutting wasteful spending and prioritising essentials, we can deliver better value without asking ratepayers for more.

Open Budget Dashboard

You deserve to know where your money goes. I’ll create a live, interactive budget dashboard on the council website, showing spending and progress on key projects. An AI-powered chatbot will even let you ask, “How much was spent on parks last year?”—and get instant answers.

Fix the Basics Programme

Potholes, footpaths, street lights, rubbish, public toilets, community halls, hubs, and spaces – these essentials need attention. I’ll launch a targeted programme to lift our performance in the basics.

A Council That Listens Better

Council must do a better job of listening and acting on what matters to you. I’ll make sure the council engages earlier, use clearer processes to reduce consultation fatigue, and trial participatory budgeting so you have a direct say in where funds go.

Smarter Technology to Serve You Better

Using technology that makes dealing with the Hutt City Council easier and faster. When you contact the council, their systems will recognise you and your past issues – so you don’t have to repeat yourself. I’ll have council digitise more services and use AI where it adds value, so we can cut red tape, speed up responses, and save money.

Flood Protection and Resilience Plan

Lower Hutt sits on the most densely populated floodplain in New Zealand, so building resilience isn’t optional – it’s essential. I’ll deliver a citywide plan that goes beyond RiverLink, strengthening our stormwater systems, hardening infrastructure, and boosting neighbourhood-level readiness.

Hutt City Emergency Response Team

When disaster strikes, our volunteers are there for us. I’ll back and strengthen the Hutt City Emergency Response Team, ensuring they have more resources, training, and support.

Smart City Pilot

I want to see Lower Hutt embracing technologies that will save money and improve daily lives. Things like smart bins that signal when they’re full, parking sensors, real-time traffic tools, and the use of drones for smarter monitoring – helping with infrastructure checks, environmental monitoring, and emergency responses.

Open and Transparent Council

Trust starts with openness, and I’m committed to improving transparency in the Mayor’s office and council. My diary will be public, every council meeting live-streamed, and electronic voting introduced so you can see exactly how every decision is made and how each member voted.

Cross Valley Link – Connecting Our City Better

The Government is developing the business case, but it still needs strong local advocacy to see it through. I’ll champion the Cross Valley Link to connect the eastern valley to SH2 which will ease congestion along the Petone Esplanade to unlock its true potential.

Helping Local Businesses Start and Grow

I’ll initiate a dedicated space for manufacturing, construction, and tech start-ups to launch and scale right here in the Hutt. By giving new businesses the tools, mentoring, and networks they need, we’ll help them thrive alongside our existing high-tech industries.

Buy Local, Build Local, Hire Local

Council will prioritise local suppliers for projects and contracts where they offer competitive value, launch a jobs portal connecting local workers with local opportunities, and making sure ratepayer money stays in the Hutt.

A Bold Plan for Economic Growth

It’s time to refresh our economic development plan to focus on future industries, new opportunities, and smart growth. This blueprint will set clear actions to attract investment, support innovation, and prepare our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.

Bringing Life to Empty Spaces

Council will support pop-up shops, food trucks, and markets in underused areas to make our city more vibrant. We’ll turn empty shops and spaces into lively hubs where people want to visit, shop, and spend.

Making Lower Hutt an Events City

I’ll make Lower Hutt a go-to destination for event organisers by reducing barriers, streamlining approvals, and actively promoting our city as “open for events.” From festivals to niche gatherings, a thriving events calendar boosts local businesses, hospitality, and retail.

Gracefield Innovation Quarter

I’ll fight to secure the future of Gracefield Innovation Quarter and transform it into a magnet for high-growth companies that need a place to call home. By revitalising the campus and attracting cutting-edge industries, we’ll create jobs, and put Lower Hutt firmly on the map as New Zealand’s innovation capital.

Backing the Best Chamber in New Zealand

The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce is already one of the best in the country, and with more support, it can do even more. I’ll align council’s work with their ambitious plan to grow GDP by 35% by 2035.

Cutting Red Tape with Business Leaders

I’ll convene a Hutt Business Advisory Panel to bring cross-sector leaders together to identify barriers holding businesses back. This panel will provide real-world advice to council, helping us streamline processes and drive growth.

Showcasing Hutt Business Success

We need to tell the world about the great businesses thriving here. I’ll launch a campaign to professionally showcase local success stories through video, press, and digital media, highlighting what makes the Hutt special. Promoting our achievements attracts investment, inspires others, and builds pride in our city.

Attracting More Visitors to the Hutt

Our region is a gateway to the South Island and Lower Hutt is full of untapped tourism potential. I’ll rewrite our tourism plan to focus on telling our early history better, hosting conferences, embracing cultural landmarks, and attracting visitors to explore and stay longer.

Strengthening Māori Partnership

I support Māori wards as an important step in representation. Council also need a strong, enduring relationship with mana whenua. I’m committed to continually improving this partnership so it’s meaningful and delivers for our whole community.

Backing Neighbourhood Projects

I’ll create a Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to provide micro-grants for grassroots projects like murals, gardens, clean-ups, and street parties. This will give locals the tools to make their own areas brighter, safer, and more connected.

Celebrating Our Diverse Cultures

Lower Hutt is one of New Zealand’s most diverse cities, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It enriches our communities, drives creativity, and connects us to the world. I’ll introduce a Cultural Fund to support multicultural events, festivals, and organisations that celebrate who we are.

Citizens’ Assemblies to Shape Big Decisions

Big challenges need big conversations. I’ll convene Hutt Citizens’ Assemblies where residents work together on issues like housing, growth, climate, and amalgamation. This puts power into the hands of a broad cross-section of our community to guide council decisions.

Volunteer Day – Giving Back Together

I’ll launch a city-wide Volunteer Day where businesses and residents team up with local charities to make a difference.

Refreshing Arts & Culture

Our creative scene needs a boost. I’ll refresh the Arts & Culture Policy to focus on grassroots, multicultural, and youth-led projects.

Making Lower Hutt Child-Friendly

I’ll renew the Children and Young People’s Plan to ensure our spaces, services, and decisions reflect what young people need. A child-friendly Hutt is a better Hutt for everyone.

Planting a Greener Future

I’ll renew the Urban Forest Plan to plant more trees, future-proof green spaces, and increase canopy cover. This is about cleaner air, cooler streets, and protecting nature for future generations.

Predator-Free Hutt

Building on Wellington’s success, I’ll drive a predator-free policy that protects native wildlife and opens the door to reintroducing species like kiwi.

Leading on Smokefree Spaces

Lower Hutt once led the way on smokefree policies but has since fallen behind. I’ll introduce a Smokefree Bylaw to protect public spaces and improve community health.