Water works in Wellington plunge Mt Cook suburb into five years of upheaval
Residents living in the Wellington suburb of Mount Cook are set for at least five years of upheaval as major water works and construction projects are planned for the busy area that includes Hargreaves, Rolleston and Wallace streets.
The Wellington suburb of Mt Cook is set to resemble a long-term construction site, with residents facing at least five years of upheaval.
The construction of the 35-million-litre Prince of Wales/Omāroro Reservoir will include a series of Wellington Water projects on Hargreaves and Wallace streets, which could coincide with the redevelopment of a Housing New Zealand complex on Rolleston St.
Residents do not oppose the work, but are unhappy with the loss of roadside car parks and believe the work will impact their quality of life.
Hargreaves St residents, Jock Phillips and Frida Harper, said four major projects would be undertaken in their immediate environment and would impact on their quality of life.They would like a rates relief to make up for the disruption.
They would like to see some recognition and compensation for putting up with the disruption and have suggested a rates relief, but the Wellington City Council has said this was "very unlikely".
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Work on the reservoir, which would hold enough water to fill 14 Olympic swimming pools, is anticipated to take up to three years to complete.
The construction start date will not be confirmed until funding approval is confirmed as part of the council's 10-year plan process, which will be signed off before the end of June.
From October, Wallace St pipe works will reduce the road to one lane for about 15 months.
When work starts on Hargreaves St, a three-metre trench will be dug outside the home of Jock Phillips and Frida Harper.
Peter Cooke from resident and community group, Mt Cook Mobilised, said Wellington Water had been good in their communication with residents and had tried to be as accommodating as possible but car use would likely have to be abandoned by some residents.
"It will make a huge difference to the quality of our lives. We are not Nimby residents, we recognise all of these things will benefit the whole Wellington community."
"We want them to recognise that we are making a major sacrifice for the whole community and in return we would like some sort of improvement of our amenities, such as the upgrade of the street or a children's playground nearby. I would like some rates relief," Phillips said.
Following hearings in March, Independent Commissioners recommended Wellington City Council go ahead with the construction of a reservoir above the playing fields at Prince of Wales Park in Mt Cook, which would hold enough water to fill 14 Olympic swimming pools. It will be buried. But during construction would look like the top image.
Harper, who has lived on the "peaceful" street for 20 years, said the work would also impact on her Airbnb flat and regular visits from her young grandchildren.
Peter Cooke from resident and community group, Mt Cook Mobilised, said it was possible car use would likely have to be abandoned by some residents and the disruption would be wider reaching.
Residents are preparing for "chaos" along the already heavily congested Wallace St, which is a major arterial route.
Jock Phillips and Frida Harper live a few doors down from Prince of Wales Park, where the reservoir will be constructed.
During the construction of the reservoir, dirt would be trucked out via Rolleston St every 10 minutes, Cooke said.
Housing NZ was also planning the redevelopment of its Rolleston St flats and residents were concerned construction would coincide with the other works and would be a lot of renovation for one small street to cope with.
Wellington City Council city engineer Derek Baxter said the council was acutely aware the construction of the reservoir and its associated new piping network would create challenges for residents and it would be very unlikely to consider rates relief for local residents.
Wellington City Council city engineer Derek Baxter said the city would not be able to afford to effectively fund infrastructure work if the council was required to pay compensation to residents living near major construction projects.
The city would not be able to afford to effectively fund infrastructure work if the council was required to pay compensation to residents living near major construction projects, he said.
Wellington Water would be working hard to minimise disruption and inconvenience in the suburb, he said.
Councillor Iona Pannett, the council's three waters portfolio leader, said the project would be disruptive to the local community, but it was a vital project to ensure Wellington can recover after a major natural disaster.
Councillor Iona Pannett, the council’s three waters portfolio leader, agreed the project would be disruptive to the local community, but it was a vital project to ensure Wellington can recover after a major event.
"There is a list of 43 conditions imposed by the panel which will mitigate the impacts from the project, one of which is the establishment of a Community Reference Group and a community liaison person for the duration of the project and the council is committed to working with the community to get the best outcome for Mt Cook."
- Stuff
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