RiverLink aims to enhance flood protection against the Hutt River.
The project sees the relocation of the Melling railway station and the construction of a new bridge from State Highway 2 over the Hutt River.
Despite a budget increase, Infrastructure Minister and local resident Chris Bishop told legacy media the the project will go ahead.
Originally estimated at $700 million, the project’s cost is now expected to exceed $1 billion. This has caused concerns about budget sufficiency.
Bishop is set to meet with Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry to discuss cost adjustments. Barry has already reached out to Bishop and the Minister of Local Government for a joint briefing, emphasising the need for all partners to collaborate and address challenges.
A meeting is scheduled for February, focusing on budget efficiencies. An announcement regarding budget cuts is expected by March 2024.
Mayor Barry reaffirmed the council’s commitment to the RiverLink project, highlighting its potential benefits, including enhanced flood protection, improved transportation, and urban development opportunities.
They were hoping for 3 waters and all the country to have to pay. Each town/city need to fund there own projects. Time for councils to be accountable. If we vote in poor representation bad things , expensive things happen. Huge rate hikes will have solve these problems. Not the responsibility of every New Zealander.