Big-ticket projects on target
The majority of the New Plymouth District Council’s multimillion-dollar Long-term Plan projects are progressing well, despite the challenges of Omicron, supply chain issues and rising inflation.
The council’s strategic projects committee will meet on May 25 to get an update on the likes of the district’s universal water metering, the coastal walkway extension to Waitara, and the multi-sports hub development.
A report prepared for the committee by council managers warned there continued to be emerging cost and time pressures across its capital works programme. ‘‘The majority of the projects are progressing well, with a small number of projects requiring more active management of risks,’’ the report said.
The Omicron outbreak was causing some delays with contractor and staff resources, while supply chain issues and associated cost increases were being mitigated by the council changing materials.
Although rising inflation was an emerging issue, council staff said some strategic projects covered multiple years and had contingency incorporated within their budgets.
Close to $1 billion in capital projects was included in the last Long-term Plan, with 19 classed as strategic projects because of public interest, financial implication and reputation risk.
More than $15 million has been budgeted for the district’s controversial universal water metering, with the first batch of 6000 meters scheduled to be delivered in August.
‘‘While the programme of work is currently not impacted, there is an ongoing risk to the timing of delivery due to the disruption to supply chains caused by the recent Covid lockdowns limiting manufacturers’ capacity to fabricate materials,’’ the report said.
The council has short-listed three potential contractors who will undertake a pilot installation period before the final contract is awarded.
Meanwhile, the $25m coastal walkway extension was progressing, the report said.
A partnership agreement between the council and Te Atiawa iwi, Puketapu hapū, Pukerangiora hapū, Manukorihi hapū and Otaraua hapū has been agreed, and monthly hui were being held to ensure the project was jointly steered.
The first stage of the new walkway would be constructed around Marine Park, Waitara, connecting the main pathway to the town centre.
The proposed multi-sport hub project at the New Plymouth Raceway, for which the council has earmarked $38.5m, has been renamed the Tūparikino Active Community Hub. It has a governance group made up of project partners, key stakeholders and funders.
The draft master plan, with the main hub building on the periphery of the racetrack, has been shared with stakeholders.
‘‘The design team will work with the stakeholders to refine and further develop the master plan before undertaking detailed design,’’ the report said.