Kaiwharawhara Wellington Ferry Terminal Redevelopment

This project has been referred to an expert consenting panel for fast-track consenting under the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting Act 2020).

Last updated:

Project ID

2021-061

Applicant

KiwiRail Holdings Limited

Project summary

To redevelop, upgrade and operate the Interislander facilities at Kaiwharawhara, Wellington by:

  • constructing and operating:
    • a wharf approximately 250 metres long and 14 metres wide
    • a ferry terminal
    • structures and facilities for the wharf and ferry terminal, including a new
      2-level linkspan bridge, road vehicle ramps, an elevated walkway and other structures providing access onto and off berthed ferries
  • extending and reconfiguring rail and road vehicle marshalling and loading areas
  • reclaiming parts of the coastal marine area to extend the rail marshalling area
  • upgrading the surfaces of rail and road bridges over Kaiwharawhara Stream
  • upgrading access from the existing road and rail networks to the new ferry terminal
  • landscaping, planting and other activities to enhance the natural environment:
    • at the Kaiwharawhara Stream mouth and estuary
    • along the coastal margin of Kaiwharawhara Point.

Location

Land at Kaiwharawhara, Wellington at or adjoining Wellington Harbour and generally within the footprint indicated in Attachment 3 of the Section 17 report

Referred projects order

Schedule 44 to the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Referred Projects Order 2020 [New Zealand Legislation website]

Reasons for decision

The project will:

  • help to achieve the purpose of the Act
  • generate approximately 400 full-time equivalent jobs over a 3-year design and construction period
  • provide infrastructure to increase the capacity of the Interislander ferries to service growth in rail and road freight and tourism
  • improve environmental outcomes (including habitat) at the Kaiwharawhara Stream estuary and shoreline
  • support a transition to a low greenhouse-gas emissions economy by enabling use of new diesel/electric hybrid ferries and supporting increased use of rail transport for freight
  • strengthen the economic and social resilience of the Kaiwharawhara ferry terminal, particularly if there is a major seismic event
  • likely progress faster than would otherwise be the case under the Resource Management Act 1991 standard processes.

Any actual and potential effects on the environment, and proposed measures to mitigate any adverse effects, can be appropriately tested by an expert consenting panel against Part 2 of the Resource Management Act 1991 and the purpose of the Act.

Section 17 report

Section 17 report [PDF, 750 KB]