Sounds access study business case endorsed

Council’s Assets and Services Committee approved the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study’s Programme Business Case last week.

The committee’s decision was then endorsed at a special Council meeting on 10 October and will now be submitted to Waka Kotahi for approval in principle, and funding consideration.

The business case outlines a programme of activities and levels of service that seek to provide access for the wellbeing of the Marlborough Sounds communities through a safe and resilient transport system, with the best value-for-money solutions. The business case confirms the repair of existing faults, proposes road improvements to improve resilience, and recommends consideration of changes to network maintenance and operations to improve resilience.

Over the long term this will include improved marine access, which will almost certainly be required should future storms or earthquakes trigger further major damage. Public engagement on the initial business case options proposed for the five storm-damaged areas of the Sounds finished on 11 July, and data from the 1,742 completed surveys was analysed by the study’s project team at Stantec.

Several changes were made to the programme business case following public engagement and further analysis:

• Levels of service were raised from the initial ‘emerging preferred option’ proposals for Moetapu Bay and Kenepuru Road from Portage to the Heads, with more targeted improvements to improve resilience

• Cost estimates have risen from $160M to $234M. An independent peer review was conducted on the initial cost estimate, using actual costs from similar works already completed. This new estimate included increases in contingencies, adjustments to the proposed works based on public consultation, and the addition of costs to repair Kenepuru side roads

Council will consult everyone in Marlborough on levels of service and rating options via a Special Consultative Process once the FAR (financial assistance rate) from Waka Kotahi is known. This will likely take place in April to June 2024, as part of the Council’s Long Term Plan.

Final levels of service and funding decisions will be made in June 2024. Once those decisions are made final work design can be procured and completed, and the construction programme can get underway.

Mayor Nadine Taylor holding a copy of the 532-page Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study business case; with (from left to right): Principal Consultant, Stantec, Andrew Maughan; Deputy Mayor David Croad; Chief Executive Mark Wheeler; and MSFAS Project Lead Neil Henry.