Plans for quake-resistant Wellington ferry terminal include floating drawbridges
Friday, 12 January 2018
A new quake-resistant Cook Strait ferry terminal is being planned for Wellington, with floating drawbridges connecting boats to the shore.
The plans, for the existing Interislander terminal site in Kaiwharawhara, have been developed by Wellington port company CentrePort, and have the backing of both the Interislander and Bluebridge ferry companies.
A key feature would be floating 'linkspans' or drawbridges connecting boats to the terminal, which would safeguard against changes in water level.
There would also be improvements to the 'confusing' state highway network near the existing terminal, and direct rail and bus links.
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The design plans for the Northern Gateway project, included in CentrePort's 2017 annual report, state the terminal would help improve resilience across New Zealand's transport network and streamline transport links in Wellington.
A steering group made up of several interested parties has been established to drive the project.
'The Northern Gateway is conceptual at this point, but key considerations as part of the design will be a modern, 21st-century, resilient, multi-modal terminal,' CentrePort spokesman Raphael Hilbron said.
'The ferry terminal is considered a critical piece of infrastructure to New Zealand and the Wellington region to enable the Cook Strait ferry trade and, in particular, for a response in a major natural disaster.'
Interislander general manager of operations Mark Thompson said both Wellington and New Zealand were exposed by the November 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, which damaged the port, and resilience needed to improve.
'The project is still in a conceptual stage, and we look forward to receiving more details from CentrePort as they become available,' he said.
'Once a formal business case is presented, details around costs, timelines and implications for Interislander services will become clearer.'
Bluebridge and Strait Shipping group chief executive Louise Struthers said a well-designed, purpose-built facility with better access to Wellington city and State Highway 1 would be a welcome move.
'Conversations around the proposed Northern Gateway so far have been largely conceptual, with much detail yet to be discussed, and we're looking forward to continuing to work with all the stakeholders involved to progress this project.'
Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Milford said the idea was 'excellent', and provided an opportunity to enhance Wellington's earthquake readiness and make way for a vibrant link between the city and port.
He said there was a lot of support behind the initial plans, and it was likely to see improvements begin within five years.
'This is an opportunity to reassess the whole port/harbour layout.
'Out of adversity comes opportunities, and I think that's what we should grasp.'
Hilbron said the terminal proposal had received positive feedback from CentrePort partners and stakeholders.
No timeframes had been set for the project, and it was not known how much it might cost or who would pay for it.
A business case it was developing would help determine those details.
New Zealand Transport Agency director of regional relationships Emma Speight confirmed the agency was part of the steering group working on the proposal.
'As part of these investigations, NZTA is looking at the implications of the terminal on the wider transport network,' she said.
A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Phil Twyford said the new minister had not met CentrePort since taking up the role late last year.
Annual passenger ferry trips are expected to rise from 1.1 million at present to 1.7m by 2025. CentrePort also oversees the movement of $15-20 billion in freight across Cook Strait each year.
Ferries and bulk general manager Andrew Steele said a streamlined terminal would simplify the crossing for domestic and international travellers, providing an economic boost to Wellington and New Zealand.
BY THE NUMBERS
1.1 million Cook Strait passenger ferry crossings in 2015
Will rise to 1.7 million by 2025
3600 jobs supported by Cook Strait ferry services in Wellington
$330 million injected into city's economy annually