Wellingtonians deserve a say over waterfront fencing: Councillor

Friday, 7 February 2025

Public consultation could be on the cards before the city spends millions of dollars in safety fencing on Wellington’s waterfront, with city councillors set to debate the investment next week.

The proposed investment is in a 678-page document detailing their draft long-term plan, which had to be rewritten when councillors cancelled plans to sell the city’s shares in Wellington Airport last year.

The plan suggests council sign off $11.1 million in edge protections for the waterfront for the 2025/26 year, with a business case to be provided to councillors for approval before works begin. Other cost estimates have ranged between $7m and $30m.

But councillor Ben McNulty says Wellingtonians should have a say first, given the airport U-turn had left a $400m to $600m hole in the council’s books.

“I sure as hell think we need to get the vibe of Wellingtonians before we commit to fencing.”

It was a lot of money in the same week when Wellington Water had asked for an extra $25m, McNulty said.

He was planning to put forward an amendment to delay a decision until councillors have seen a coroner’s report into the death of Sandy Calkin, who died in July 2021, with options for public consultation.

“We haven’t had the coroner’s report or critiques, and we’re being pulled from pillar to post to make a fundamental decision.”

Calkin is one of nine people who have been found dead near the city in Wellington Harbour since 2006.

News of potential delays frustrated Sandy’s father, Roger Calkin.

“It should be a non-negotiable. I don’t want to see people going through what we have been through.”

The council lined the harbour with temporary fencing in response to the deaths, and this is expected to stay for two to three years until permanent fencing is installed.

A permanent solution had been delayed long enough, Roger Calkin said. “They need to get on with it.

“They [council] should listen to the recommendations and their own expert witnesses who gave evidence at the inquest and do the right thing. It will make the waterfront safer while enhancing the connection to the water for all Wellingtonians and visitors alike.

“They certainly need to take a safety approach rather than worrying about the financial aspects of it.”

But Wellington mayor Tory Whanau told The Post the new plan would require some “hard decisions”.

She understood the concern around lack of consultation and backed the need to get more information, including the coroner’s findings.

“Safety is incredibly important for us but … we will be requesting officers provide more information,” she said.

“We don’t have the information we need to make such a huge decision.”

Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman said he supported safety improvements but wanted “meaningful public consultation” and more affordable options floated.

“The $11m option proposed seems excessive at a time when residents are struggling with the cost of living and rates increases.”

Councillor and mayoral candidate Ray Chung said safety fence would be an eyesore, destroy the waterfront and make Wellington “a laughing stock around the world:.

“This is an example of council staff going to extreme lengths to remove self-responsibility from thinking people.”

The agenda was published hours after the release of Crown observer Lindsay McKenzie’s first report to Government on the council, in which he said personalities, politics and process were affecting the council’s performance.

The draft plan will be discussed at the long-term plan, finance and performance committee meeting on February 13.