Wellington V8 Race - Ripped Up Ripped Off

In all my time, serving the City, this is the worst, most risky, decision ever made. It would be irresponsible to approve this, and negligent. "

Councillor Helene Ritchie, first elected in 1977, on why they should not get Council backing.

There will be massive destruction to City Streets, before, during and after the car race.

" It is unbelievable what is proposed.

Some of the destruction will be:

Traffic Islands will be ripped up-median traffic islands and islands that protrude from the footpath.

New Paving will be ripped up outside the Railway Station and replaced with asphalt.

Gardens at the entrance to the Waterfront will be ripped up and converted to "pot-able" vegetation.

Trees are in jeopardy.

Three new temporary bridges will be built and then taken away.

Median Islands in Featherstone street will be "converted", "

modified" into demountable islands for track width purposes.

This is all aside from the massive construction of concrete barriers, holes, gates and other features.

Trolley bus pole will need to be "converted into a demountable configuration along with the shelter and the traffic light pedestal"

Waterfront carparking income and availability underneath the Events Centre, Frank Kitts and on North Queens Wharf will be lost.

Cost escalation will be inevitable across a range of areas, because some costs are "hidden".

Traffic management and the provision of emergency personnel have not been included in the cost" It is assumed that the costs will be borne by the Council.

The destruction and reconstruction will be for seven years, and for a period of two months in those seven years.

Ratepayers are being ripped off because they are being asked to fund a global company with a turnover of $1.2b for the privilege of having their streets ripped up."

ENDS

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