Impression of a new ferry in Wellington Harbour
KiwiRail has received approval for the Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington Ferry Terminal Redevelopment project to be considered under the COVID-19 (Fast Track) Act 2020 Consenting process. This provides an alternative consenting pathway for the resource consent, but the proposed redevelopment still had to meet the environmental tests and other Resource Management Act (RMA) requirements.
In order to be considered under the Act, KiwiRail had to demonstrate the project met criteria for referral on issues like employment creation, sustainable management and recovery from the economic and social impacts of COVID-19.
Kiwirail have also announced that selection of the design consortium to prepare the final designs the ferry terminals in Waitohi Picton and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. The consortium is made up of two engineering consultancies, WSP and Jacobs. It will take the existing concept design through to final design, ahead of construction starting later this year.
Kiwirail are planning to lodge consent in the next few months.You may see some early works starting around the Kaiwharawhara terminal as it undertakes minor works, and relocates utility services that might need moving in preparation for the main construction.