Early Christmas present for Wellington bridge supporters

Friday, 20 December 2024

Planned work to demolish the City to Sea bridge is on hold.

Campaigners fighting to save Wellington’s City to Sea bridge have been given an early Christmas present after a call to halt the demolition, at least for now, was agreed.

The Civic Trust lodged an application at the High Court in Wellington on Tuesday for a judicial review of Wellington City Council’s decision to level the bridge on Wednesday. It also sought an interim injunction to stop any action to demolish the bridge until the judicial review had been completed, or until the court issued further orders

Work was due to start next month.

However, in what could be seen as a wish come true for the trust, the council yesterday agreed to hold off the planned January start date.

Justice David Boldt's summary of a phone conference with lawyers for the council and the trust said the council also agreed not to enter into any contract to demolish the bridge, dismantle any of the artwork, or make any alterations to the bridge, or any of the structures near the bridge, in a way which would make it impossible, or more difficult, to retain it.

Civic Trust board member Sylvia Allan said the trust was very pleased “with the holding pattern” the court had provided.

The man who oversaw the building of the Wellington bridge is skeptical Wellington City Council's the projected costings.

“Wellington people will be able to enjoy their bridge over the summer,” she said.

Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said it would “obviously abide by the ruling” but would continue with the work planned for the rest of Te Ngākau Civic Square. That included strengthening of the basement and Town Hall loading dock, reinstatement of the plaza, and demolition of the old Municipal Office Building.

The trust’s application for the review, which is supported by the Wellington Architectural Centre, hinges on what it considers a flawed consultation process ‒ which included two options for the bridge’s replacement ‒ both of which would see the “much-loved” bridge demolished.

Its fight, and that of other campaigners, was given a boost earlier this week following an endorsement by Kiwi actor Sam Neill, who described the bridge as “a rare thing of beauty“ and its planned demolition as an “utterly shameful piece of vandalism”.

A hearing was due in late April.