- Wellington City Council has revealed the full design for the Courtenay Place changes as part of the Golden Mile upgrade
- A contract has not been signed for all of the changes on Courtenay Place
- Work will begin in April
- The $116 million project was part of the now disestablished Let's Get Wellington Moving Programme
Wellington's mayor admits a controversial revamp of Courtenay Place could cost her the mayoralty, but says it's so important she's pushing on anyway.
The Wellington City Council has revealed the final design for the Golden Mile upgrade on Courtenay Place.
But a contractor for the majority of the project is yet to be signed on.
As RNZ reported earlier this week, the council confirmed construction would begin on the Courtenay Place element of it in April, with the work expected to take two years.
The council also confirmed it would cost $116 million, which included funding from NZTA Waka Kotahi.
It would see cars banned during from 7am to 7pm between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place, along with widened footpaths and a cycle lane.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Work would begin first at the intersection of Cambridge and Kent Terraces, with that work expected to take eight months before moving to Courtenay Place.
While a contract had been signed with Brian Perry Civil for the intersection construction, negotiations were still ongoing for an agreement on the Courtenay Place works.
The council could not say when they expected to reach a contract agreement for the rest of the project.
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau was confident that while the negotiations were still underway, there would not be future delays.
"Once we have got spades in the ground that basically gives it momentum for everything to keep going."
Whanau noted that former Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins was voted out of office after his council put forward similar changes to the city's George Street.
She said the construction for the Golden Mile upgrade happening while local body elections were underway was a risk to her second bid for the mayorlty.
"I believe in this project so much I will accept whatever happens at the election."
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Whanau told RNZ she sympathised with businesses in the Golden Mile that would find the construction of it tough, particularly during difficult economic conditions.
"We are still working with them [businesses] to develop a business support package which could be access to grants, help with marketing, street signage to help bring people to their stores."
She said the project will be rolled out section by section down Courtenay Place.
Whanau said they had looked at delaying it further due to the current economic climate, but they found that the move would end up costing more.
She could not say whether businesses would shut down as a result of the project.
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
What will change?
The project will remove cars from Courtenay Place during the day, widen foot paths, create a cycle lane down the road and improve lighting.
It will also see the street lined with new anti-slip pavement, new greenery, while also replacing any old water pipes that are sitting under the throughfare.
The design of Golden Mile uprgade has been created in partnership with mana whenua and features ngā ūranga - interactive sculptures where people can sit, share food or use as a performance area.
The Lambton Quay part of the project is not expected to start for at least three years, due to Courtenay Place being priortised by councillors.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
History of the project
The Golden Mile upgrade was part of the Let's Get Wellington Moving transport plan, a joint intiative which started in 2016 between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and NZTA Waka Kotahi.
On 17 December 2023, the government and the two councils agreed to disestablish the plan.
As part of this agreement, the central government would build and fund the Basin Reserve upgrade and second Mt Victoria tunnel while Wellington City Council brought the Golden Mile project in-house.
NZTA would still fund 51 percent of the Golden Mile.
The project had been controversial among some councillors, residents and some of the business community.
Illustration of the upgrade on Courtenay Place. Photo: Supplied
There was strong opposition to the project by some when the project was voted into the council's latest long term plan.
The government had also been unhappy at times with the council's handling of the project.
RNZ revealed in April last year that the then-Transport and Infrastructure Ministers wrote a 'please explain' letter to the council raising concern about a lack of consultation with local businesses.
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