Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Terminal upgrade well received
News a new multi-million dollar ferry terminal will be fast-tracked has been welcomed in Picton, however some residents hope the effects of increased traffic from the upgrade will be considered.
Picton’s new ferry terminal upgrade is one of the 11 projects to be fast-tracked under a new law designed to help stimulate the economy in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is expected to create 200 construction jobs.
Last month, Marlborough Sounds residents called for consultation on the upgrade to be extended until face-to-face meetings could occur, after the coronavirus lockdown forced consultation to be switched to online.
Queen Charlotte Sounds residents association chairman Tim Healey said on Tuesday he was ‘‘disappointed’’ the project was being fast-tracked as ‘‘it was never behind schedule’’.
‘‘We’re a bit worried about the ferry and cruise ship traffic. From a town point of view there’s no talk at the moment about the traffic,’’ Healey said.
‘‘We’re disappointed it became a fasttracked project. I don’t think there was a need for it. I think we could have gone through the proper democratic process.’’
However, he said some of its concerns had been alleviated through the consultation process.
Picton Business Group chairman Graham Gosling, who initially called for more face-to-face consultation, welcomed the announcement.
‘‘The most beneficial thing is that there is a struggle for work at the moment and this does certainly help employ people and get the town moving a bit,’’ Gosling said.
He also hoped the increased traffic flow would be considered.
‘‘We like to get passengers into Picton and if they have got a clear run from at least Kaiko¯ura to Picton they can end up here with an hour or two to spare,’’ he said.
Picton Smart and Connected chairman Rob Burn said the prospect of ‘‘a couple of hundred jobs’’ was positive.
The terminal upgrade is to accommodate the replacement of three old ferries with two larger ships and was originally proposed by KiwiRail, the New
Zealand Transport
Agency (NZTA), Port Marlborough, and the Marlborough District Council.
The development involved upgrades to the ferry terminal wharves and the Interislander terminal buildings and rail yards.
The redevelopment is expected to take at least four years and create 200 full-time construction jobs and 100 jobs in indirect employment.
Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys Welbourn said it was important to understand it was a ‘‘fast-track’’ and not a ‘‘shortcut’’ process.
‘‘The project team has already completed a huge amount of due diligence around project options and design, and has sought and received substantial input from iwi, council, specific interest groups and the general public, despite the challenges of consulting during the Covid19 lockdown.’’
KiwiRail chief executive Greg Miller said the new ships would be ‘‘cleaner and greener’’.
‘‘They will run on battery power while berthing, and battery or land power at berth,’’ Miller said.
The move would reduce emissions and noise in Picton’s harbour area. Interislander’s greenhouse gas emissions would reduce by 40 per cent and KiwiRail’s overall emissions by 16 per cent.
Miller said about 800,000 passengers used the service each year.
Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said the council was working closely with Port Marlborough and KiwiRail on a public consultation to consider the roading impacts and other effects of the redevelopment.
He said the new ferry precinct would create better road and rail connections into Picton, Blenheim and to the rest of the South Island.
‘‘The project is a long term infrastructure investment in an essential transport service for the country.’’