Cost of proposed Frank Kitts Park redevelopment blows out to more than $40 million
Friday, 19 February 2021
The cost to redevelop Wellington's Frank Kitts Park has blown out to more than $40 million, an increase of some $10m in less than a year.
Wellington mayor Andy Foster on Friday provided the updated figures as he explained his decision to recommend removing $6.5m worth of funding for the project from the council’s draft 10-year plan.
This recommendation was part of a broader series of recommendations – including cutting library book purchases and swimming lessons -- aimed at saving money in the bulging 10-year budget.
“The reality is that $6.5m is going to be a drop in the bucket in terms of doing the work that needs to be done with Frank Kitts Park,” Foster said on Friday. “The number that we’ve been given [for the redevelopment] is north of $40m.”
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* Cost of redeveloping Frank Kitts Park on Wellington's waterfront blows out to $30 million
* City defunds Wellington's indoor arena in last-ditch attempt to pare back budget
**
The Wellington Chinese Garden Society, which had agreed to fund a proposed Garden of Beneficence as part of the redevelopment, sharply criticised Foster on Friday for removing the funding.
But the embattled mayor said retaining the funding would have been pointless, with the project unlikely to go ahead in the short-term.
“It would have achieved absolutely nothing, and essentially would have sent a false signal,” he said.
The proposed redevelopment, on Wellington's waterfront between the shoreline and Jervois Quay, has been on the council’s books for the best part of a decade and was initially estimated to cost $10.5m, with the garden making up about half the cost.
However, Stuff reported in June the cost had since tripled to about $30m, with the cost of the garden jumping to $7.6m.
The planned redevelopment also includes a park upgrade, a new children's playground, and earthquake-strengthening an underground car park.
“They [the garden society] are well aware that we have some seismic challenges with the car park building, which directly affects the Chinese garden, and with the strength and stability of the land as a whole,” Foster said.
The playground upgrade was last year separated from the wider redevelopment plans, and $5m has been set aside for that project.
Foster said the redevelopment could be considered for funding again during the period of the 10-year plan, which begins in July.
Despite the financial challenges, the garden society said on Friday Foster was “destroying” the council’s credibility with the public by pulling funding for the development.
Representatives of the Wellington Chinese Garden Society were incensed that Foster stood with them on Sunday, promoting the garden, then two days later
emailed councillors with 11 last-minute changes to the budget, including removing funding for the Frank Kitts park waterfront redevelopment.
The society said it was unimpressed with Foster’s statement at Thursday’s council meeting that he had not informed the Chinese community of the proposal.
“The Wellington Chinese Garden Society only heard of the Mayor’s proposed changes through the media,” society president Harvey Wu said. “The move completely undermines nearly 10 years of consultation and our tireless efforts to fundraise.”
The council accepted a $1m contribution from the society for the new garden in October last year, Wu said.
Despite confusion among councillors over Foster’s late amendments to his proposed long-term plan, the proposal to remove funding for the redevelopment passed by 10 votes to 5.