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Joel MacManus / Stuff
A possible extension to Kings Wharf would occupy 230 m of space in the harbor (artist rendering)
KiwiRail has given up its controversial push to build a new ferry terminal in the middle of Wellington’s inner harbor.
The move paves the way for the construction of a new multi-user ferry terminal at Kaiwharawhara, which will be shared by the Bluebridge and Interislander ferries.
KiwiRail needs a large new pier and terminal to support its plan to purchase two new rail-enabled Interislander mega-ferries, which will be significantly larger than the current fleet.
The state-owned company had previously opposed the Kaiwharawhara location, preferring a downtown location at Kings Wharf due to seismic concerns.
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KiwiRail had found itself at odds with nearly every other port user, including Bluebridge owner StraitNZ, pleasure yachts, Centreport, as well as city and regional councils.
Other port users claim that large ferries would be dangerous in the narrow space of Kings Wharf and disrupt other business at the container dock.
At one point, KiwiRail considered using the Public Works Act to forcibly acquire Centreport land.
Speaking to Wellington City Council on Wednesday, KiwiRail COO David Gordon said the organization was now fully focused on developing the Kaiwharawhara location.
“We want to keep pace … We cannot delay this any longer. Our ferries are old and need to be replaced, ”Gordon said.
Dom Thomas / RNZ
Greater Wellington Regional Council Chairman Daran Ponter has opposed the Kings Wharf option.
He still insisted that the Kaiwharawhara site would be at greater risk of “total destruction” if the Wellington fault were breached, but accepted that there was little political support for any other option.
“There is no ideal location for a ferry terminal in Wellington,” he said.
“We cannot reverse this decision again. The commitment to Kaiwharawhara has to be complete. “
During its search for a new location for the terminal, KiwiRail seemed as wide as Napier and Christchurch, before concluding that Wellington and Picton were the only sensible locations, he said.
Greater Wellington Regional Council Chairman Daran Ponter has admitted that Kaiwharawhara has more seismic risk, but believes it is the only viable option.
“We can plan for these things and we can build for them,” he said.
Ponter requested the support of the city council to go to the Government and request that the construction authorization be accelerated.
The new dock and terminal will be built by Centreport and leased from KiwiRail, Ponter said.
OSK SHIPTECH
The conceptual design of the new Interislander ferry in Wellington Harbor. CREDIT:
In a briefing for incoming ministers, the regional council has effectively called on the government to remove the head of KiwiRail and cancel the controversial plan.
The regional council also asked the government to return KiwiRail to the negotiating table and rejoin the Ports of the Future Forum.
The regional council also questioned whether the $ 400 million awarded by the government for two rail-enabled ferries was necessary in the first place.
“In the age of Covid, are large rail-enabled ferries justified? Could the New Zealand public better benefit from less expensive replacement options in the medium term? “said the report.
The regional council also asked the government for leadership to ensure that the location of the new terminal is the “best result for the economy of the nation and the region.”
