Auckland City Council
Media release
12 March, 2009

Te Wero Bridge decision points way forward

Te Wero Bridge, the proposed connection between the CBD across the Viaduct Harbour to Wynyard Quarter, and a key element of the vision for the revitalisation of Auckland’s waterfront, will be completed in 2016.

The bridge will provide for walking and cycling access and will aim to enhance the operation of the Viaduct, balancing the needs of major events, boat movement in and out of the harbour, and the movement of people between the CBD and Wynyard Quarter. Whether public transport will use this connection is still to be determined.

A budget of $31m (inflation adjusted) will be allocated as the council’s contribution to construction of the bridge. A budget of $1m will be allocated to contribute to an interim solution across this connection until the bridge is completed.

Councillor Aaron Bhatnagar, chairperson of the City Development Committee, says endorsing the recommendations today is another important step in the redevelopment of the waterfront.

“We have made the prudent decision to move Te Wero’s completion to 2016. We now have a robust view of what the bridge needs to be, to support the development of the area into something special for Aucklanders and visitors alike. While the public transport picture is not completely clear yet, we have confirmed the need for a walking and cycling opening bridge,” he says.

“Aucklanders have told us that they want to retain the theme of a ‘working waterfront’ and the Viaduct Harbour is an important component with its large mix of marine use. Aucklanders do want the Viaduct to be a vibrant destination with good interaction between water-based activity and a variety of other uses We don't want to constrain that, nor do we want to constrain flexibility for future uses.”

Council’s combined committees last week brought forward the completion of the new Marine Events Centre six years in time for RWC2011, deferring the completion of Te Wero Bridge to 2016. The Marine Events Centre, also part of the vision of a revitalised CBD-waterfront, is already through preliminary design phases, endorsed by the urban design panel. Its resource consents application will be lodged later this month.

Funding for this, and Te Wero Bridge, will be part of the council’s draft 10-year plan and budget, which goes to public consultation on 17 April.

Internationally renowned firm Booz & Co. provided an extensive independent peer review of the form and function of the bridge, which was reported to the City Development Committee today.

As a result of committee resolutions, design work on the bridge will now be finalised in 2011/12. Auckland City Council will at that point consult international best practice, and with a clear definition of public transport requirements for the bridge, make alterations to the existing design, as required.

ENDS

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