Ferry terminal staying put
KiwiRail has given up on its controversial push to build a new ferry terminal in the middle of Wellington’s inner harbour.
The move clears the way for a new multi-user terminal to be built in Kaiwharawhara, which will be shared by Bluebridge and Interislander ferries.
KiwiRail needs a large new wharf and terminal to support its plan to buy two new rail-enabled Interislander mega-ferries, which will be significantly larger than the current fleet.
The state-owned enterprise said it could build a terminal in time for the new ferries to arrive in the mid-2020s, and could phasebuild over time to accommodate Bluebridge, or another operator, if required in the future.
Initial estimates from 2019 put the cost of construction at between $390 million and $730m.
KiwiRail had previously been opposed to the Kaiwharawhara location, preferring a centre-city location at Kings Wharf due to seismic concerns. The company found itself at odds with almost every other harbour user, including Bluebridge owner StraitNZ, recreational yachties and Centreport, as well as both the city and regional councils.
Opponents claimed the large ferries would be dangerous in the tight space of Kings Wharf, and would disrupt other business at the container wharf.
At one point, KiwiRail considered using the Public Works Act to forcibly acquire land from Centreport.
Speaking to the Wellington City Council yesterday, KiwiRail chief operating officer David Gordon said the organisation was now fully focused on developing the Kaiwharawhara location.
‘‘Our ferries are nearing the end of their useful lives, it’s becoming harder to keep them reliable, and they’re not sized to
deal with future growth, so delaying or doing nothing is not an option,’’ Gordon said.
He still insisted that the Kaiwharawhara site would be at the most risk of ‘‘total destruction’’ if the Wellington fault line ruptured, but accepted that there was little political support for any other option.
During the search for a new terminal location, KiwiRail had looked as far afield as Napier and Christchurch, he said.
Wellington City councillor Nicola Young claimed victory for the backdown. Her notice of motion opposing the Kings Wharf site received unanimous support, a rare moment for the ously divided council.
Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter admitted that Kaiwharawhara had more seismic risk but believed it was the only viable option. ‘‘We can plan for these things, and we can build for them,’’ he said.
Ponter asked for the city council’s support to go to the Government and ask for building consent to be fast-tracked.
The new wharf and terminal would be built by Centreport and leased to KiwiRail, Ponter said.
In a briefing to incoming ministers, the regional council has effectively asked the Government to pull KiwiRail’s head in and cancel the controversial plan. It also asked the Government to bring KiwiRail back to the negotiating table by rejoining the Future Ports Forum.
The regional council also questioned whether the $400m granted by the Government for two rail-enabled ferries was necessary in the first place. ‘‘In the Covid-era, are large, railenabled ferries justified? Could the New Zealand public be better served by less expensive replacement options in medium term?’’ the briefing said.
Minister for State Owned Enterprises David Clark said he had not been involved in the decision. notori