Capital’s $1.3 billion wish list
Island Bay cycleway safety improvements and a new convention centre are among urgent projects proposed to reboot Wellington’s economy following the coronavirus lockdown.
On Tuesday, the Wellington City Council submitted a $1.3 billion-plus wish-list to the Government as part of a nationwide programme to help the country’s economy bounce back from the disruption.
Auckland Council put forward 73 projects, with a price tag well over $2b.
Wellington’s funding bid includes $650 million for 10 ‘‘shovel-ready’’ projects, $158m for pipeline upgrades and maintenance, at least $60m for projects that can begin in six to 18 months, and $490m to kickstart the Let’s Get Wellington Moving transport programme.
The shovel-ready projects include construction of a convention and exhibition centre, $14m for improvements to the Island Bay cycleway, and the redevelopment of the Wellington Museum and Municipal Office building.
They also include stormwater upgrades in the central city, Tawa and Kilbirnie; a 35-million-litre water reservoir above Mt Cook; social housing upgrades in Nairn St and Harrison St; and the redevelopment of the St John’s Church site in Karori.
Wellington mayor Andy Foster said the projects would be ready to go within six months, helping to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
‘‘These are projects which demonstrate significant financial, social, cultural and environmental value, as well as help create jobs post-lockdown.’’
The council would aim to ensure the projects provided as much work as possible for small and medium-sized contractors and subcontractors.
They could directly employ more than 2200 workers, Foster said.
The projects proposed to get under way within 18 months include a redeveloped sludge dewatering plant at the Southern Landfill, redevelopment of the Te Nga¯ kau Civic Square Precinct, a TSB Arena revamp, and a social housing project at the Granville Flats in Berhampore.
Cost estimates remained vague, especially around the Civic Square and TSB Arena projects, Foster said.
The Let’s Get Wellington Moving proposals include $8m for temporary walking and cycling improvements, and $80m for permanent walking, cycling and bus priority infrastructure.
Wellington deputy mayor Sarah Free said without government assistance, many of the projects faced significant delays because of rising construction costs and a stretched council budget.
‘‘We think they are all, for various reasons, important projects, and we look forward to the Government coming to the party to help businesses and workers in the city and region.’’
Regional councils seek $1 billion
Wellington’s regional councils have also submitted a funding bid of more than $1b for post-lockdown infrastructure projects.
Wellington Mayoral Forum chairman and Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy said the region was pulling together to respond to the unprecedented impacts of the global pandemic.
‘‘We have around 530,000 people in our region but only one inter-linked economy, so there’s no point focusing our efforts on any one part of the region and ignoring the plight of others,’’ Guppy said.
The forum listed a range of projects that could be started in six to 12 months, including railway station upgrades, acquiring extra long-distance trains and electric buses, water infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, and improved port resilience.