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rel="category">Frontpage</a>, <a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?cat=6062" rel="category">Latest Headlines</a>, <a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?cat=15" rel="category">Opinion</a>, <a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?cat=146" rel="category">Politics</a></span><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165907#comments"><span class="meta-comments">19 comments</span></a> </div>  <div class="entrybody"> <p><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/city-to-sea-bridge-2-1.jpg"><img src="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/city-to-sea-bridge-2-1-430x258.jpg" alt="Americas Cup Parade" width="430" height="258" class="size-medium wp-image-165909" srcset="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/city-to-sea-bridge-2-1-430x258.jpg 430w, https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/city-to-sea-bridge-2-1.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px" /></a> </p> <p><em>Wellington.Scoop</em><br /> In a submission today to the Wellington City Council, Sir Hugh Rennie KC says the claimed need to demolish the City to Sea Bridge is not validated by any of five reports to the council. He told the council: “It is plain further work and investigation is required before the full facts and the feasible options can be identified.”<span id="more-165907"></span></p> <p>Sir Hugh concluded:</p> <blockquote><p>Neither the proposed works, nor the cost of them, is an immediate priority for the Council in its current financial condition. The Kestrel report confirms that the low order of risk which exists, even if the claimed seismic situation is accepted as correct, does not require use of the bridge and the road to cease now.</p> <p>There is at least one strengthening option proposed in the reports which may well be feasible and economic.</p> <p>It seems more probable the underlying agenda is to promote the [Warren and Mahoney] scheme to open Te Ngakau to the sea while creating development sites for the high-rise buildings seen in their options.</p></blockquote> <p>Sir Hugh reviews each of the five reports to the council. He writes:</p> <p><strong>Te Ngakau Draft Development Plan Revision E of 11 October 2024 (Draft):</strong><br /> This is a Warren and Mahoney draft document. </p> <p>At 5.5.1 the Plan states:</p> <p><em>The City to Sea Bridge is a vital link within Wellington’s urban landscape, connecting the bustling city center with the serene waterfront. Its strategic location offers pedestrians a unique vantage point, providing sweeping views of both the cityscape and the harbor. This bridge is not only a functional pathway but also a significant architectural feature that enhances the aesthetic and experiential quality of the area. </p> <p>The bridge serves as a critical connector between key public spaces, including Civic Square and the waterfront, facilitating smooth pedestrian flow and contributing to the cohesion of Wellington’s urban fabric. It spans across Jervois Quay, offering an uninterrupted pathway that encourages movement and interaction between different parts of the city. Given its prominence, special attention must be paid to its design, maintenance, and the activities it supports to ensure it remains a vibrant and integral part of the urban environment. </p> <p>Currently, the bridge’s design features a mix of active and passive spaces. Its wide pathways accommodate large numbers of pedestrians, while seating areas and artistic installations invite people to linger and enjoy the surroundings. However, some sections of the bridge, particularly those at the interface with adjacent buildings and public spaces, suffer from inactivity and lack of engagement. This can lead to areas that feel underutilized and less safe, especially during off-peak times. </p> <p>From a seismic and resilience point of view, The City to Sea Bridge poses a potential risk to the safety of the public, the traffic below, and the ability of emergency services to operate after a disaster. The City to Sea Bridge, former Capital E building and seawall are interconnected structures and would all need to be strengthened for the Bridge to be functional. One could not be strengthened without strengthening all three structures.</em></p> <p>At 5.5.2 the Plan claims:</p> <p><em>Based on the information received from Council’s team of consultants, the strengthening solution is not viable. The only reasonably practicable option is to demolish the bridge and replace it with something new</em></p> <p>In the overall context of the Plan they propose, the retention of the City to Sea Bridge would conflict with, and probably preclude, their concept of how to redevelop the Te Ngakau area.</p> <p>But do the other reports support this basic assumption (claim) that strengthening is not viable? Indeed, that it is required?</p> <p><strong>Tonkin and Taylor report – 24 June 2024:</strong></p> <p>The oldest document in date which is disclosed is this report. Somewhat confusingly, it is cited in the Hoffcon report of 26 June as being a 2023 report. The explanation appears to be that an earlier version of the report reporting the “desktop geotechnical assessment” was carried out in 2023.</p> <p>In some version, the report must have been in existence by “late 2023” as the Beca file note of 16 April records it was the basis of a structural assessment undertaken by Hoffcon in late 2023.</p> <p>Curiously the Council has redacted the identity of the two persons who signed this report; but the report without redaction is also attached to the Hoffcon report. The two persons were Mr Bhavesh Rama (Senior Geotechnical Engineer), and Dr Eng Liang Chin (Project Director) as reviewer. However the same illegible signature appears above both names.</p> <p><strong>Hoffcon “City to Sea – detailed seismic assessment” 26 June 2024:</strong></p> <p>This unsigned report concludes with “Recommendations” and states three options:</p> <p>1. Demolition, or<br /> 2. Strengthening to >67% NBS, or<br /> 3. Risk Management.</p> <p>The report concludes <em>“Hoffcon are not in a position to make a recommendation to the Wellington City Council on the direction which should be taken with regard to the future of the bridge.”</em></p> <p><strong>Beca Peer Review – letter of 27 June 2024 with notes of 16 April 2024:</strong></p> <p>The letter is dated one day after the Hoffcon report. It includes the following observation:</p> <p><em>We consider that a viable retrofit solution may be possible via the installation of a new deadman/retaining wall system within the current traffic lanes under the bridge that would reduce the displacements to a more manageable level and enable mobilisation of the central pier piles. This would likely also need to include ground improvement such as in-ground walls forming lattice cells that isolates the piles from ground movements, which could be formed by overlapping jet-grout columns down to the underlying dense alluvium. With more manageable displacements on the bridge piles, we believe the beam-column joint issue identified by Hoffcon could potentially be considered to not represent a significant life safety hazard as gravity support would be unlikely to be lost at smaller displacements. This would allow the bridge to achieve a higher rating without retrofit of the joints</em></p> <p>The letter concludes with the opinion that the Hoffcon and Tonkin and Taylor reports <em>“appear to have been carried out generally in accordance with industry guidance and the findings of the reports appear to be reasonable.”</em></p> <p><strong>Seismic Risk Evaluation – Kestrel Group – September 2024:</strong></p> <p>This report considers whether the Council is currently required to restrain use of the bridge by persons on it, or travel under the bridge by Jervois Quay traffic, and advises neither action is currently essential.</p> <p><strong>Observations:</strong></p> <p>o The Warren and Mahoney statement at 5.5.2 that<em> demolition is “the only practicable option” </em>is not validated by an examination of the reports referred to.</p> <p>o The most precise indication of a potential alternative for strengthening is in the Beca letter; there may well be others.</p> <p>o The principal issue identified by the consultants is the risk of bridge collapse through liquefaction in the event of an earthquake above 7.1, causing the piles to fail and/or the seawall to topple with consequent slip movement. In past earthquakes there has not been liquefaction. It can be inferred that when Tonkin and Taylor reported on the bridge in 2018 (a report not disclosed, and now said by them to be superseded), they did not call for demolition.</p> <p>o The scope of the reports is confined to the bridge itself (including the steps and walkway from it on the lagoon side of Jervois Quay). There is reference to a report on the seismic state of the Capital E building (which is below the steps and walkway from Te Ngakau to the bridge itself) but no detail. As there is no analysis of the Capital E situation, it is not possible to ascertain whether that building must be demolished now in any event (in which case it would be unreasonable to allocate the cost of that work and the remediation of access to the bridge as a “bridge cost”. As an unoccupied (and unoccupiable) structure, its demolition does not appear to be immediately required by law.</p> <p>o The reports confirm neither the Kaikoura earthquake, or other lesser earthquake,) caused liquefaction in or near the bridge, or affected the seawall.</p> <p>o As liquefaction and its effect on the seawall is a key risk to the foreshore and road security (whether or not the bridge is there), it would appear that even if the bridge were demolished, seawall works will be required. One proposal in the reports is for piling along the lagoon side the seawall. It does not appear reasonable to allocate that cost to the bridge, even accepting that the absence of the bridge may mean the likelihood and impact of liquefaction may be different.</p> <p>o While Hoffcon state in their executive summary:</p> <p> <em>The findings of the completed detailed seismic assessment of the City to Sea Bridge indicates an earthquake rating of 20%NBS (IL3) to Engineering Assessments, dated July 2017 (Engineering Assessment Guidelines).</em></p> <p>in the body of their report, they acknowledge:</p> <p><em>Discussion on Importance Level:<br /> A case could be argued that the bridge need only consider a 1/500-year earthquake, taking a compliance pathway through the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Bridge Manual (NZTA Bridge Manual). This would result in a reduction in the design seismic load by 23%, and so an improvement in the assessment score by 30% (of the %NBS). However, the function of this bridge differs from a typical footbridge, and with the potential for more than 300 people to congregate on the bridge for events. When this is considered, an Importance Level of 3 (IL3) is the most appropriate categorisation.</em></p> <p>This opinion is not based on any part of the NBS evaluation analysis, and makes assumptions about use of the bridge which are not supported by evidence. Hoffcon appear to state a recalculation to (presumably) 50%NBS would be consistent with one interpretation of the Manual; and that does not take into account any strengthening of the bridge which may be possible. Even at 50%, the bridge could be retained at least for its remaining design life of 20 years.</p> </div>  <script language="JavaScript" src="https://scoop.co.nz/adserver/adserve.js?code=SWGB&o rd=[timestamp]"></script> <div id="byline-block"> <style>a.supporter:hover {background:#EC4438!important;} @media screen and (max-width: 480px) { #byline-block div.byline-block {padding-right:16px;}}</style> <div class="byline-block byline-block-light" style="background-color:#ebebeb; font-size:16px; line-height:22px; font-weight:normal; border: 1px solid #f55a3f; width: inherit;"> <h4>Join the Wellington ScoopCitizen Community</h4>To keep Wellington.Scoop thriving we need your support. Sustainable financial support through the Scoop Foundation will help to keep this vital and participatory media service running. <br>Find out more and join us: <br><br> <a class="supporter" href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?page_id=2&SF" target="_blank" style="background: #f55a3f; color: #ffffff!important; border-radius: 2px; padding: 5px 12px 6px 12px;">Become a Supporter</a> <a style="color:#1e1e1e;" href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?page_id=2&SFm" target="_blank"><u>Find out more</u></a> </div> </div> <div id="commentblock">  <h2 id="comments"> 19 comments: </h2> <ol id="commentlist"> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826786"> <div class="commentname"> Ann K, 25. November 2024, 20:47 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=1d095ccafc12a8f12ee5164d5fa4f4e0&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>They (Councillors and/or their bureaucrats) are either lying or incompetent. I am picking both.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826790"> <div class="commentname"> Steve Leigh, 25. November 2024, 22:11 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=527eb7bc811c26cceebfcc7794179cf1&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Why can’t they use the same kind of shock absorbers like they have in parliament? No more quake risk and probably cheaper.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826795"> <div class="commentname"> Jeff, 25. November 2024, 23:27 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=c4477edf1b4c496223ca351a7a0f28b7&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Hey, might as well demolish the Melling Bridge while you’re at it. Just disrupt everyone for absolutely no reason. Do these people have nothing better to do than to make commuters’ lives harder?</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826800"> <div class="commentname"> Mainlander, 26. November 2024, 0:09 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=0112bc5fa2075d0595e4e5b18ad189cb&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>One consultancy and one report would have been sufficient for the entire assessment. But we are beyond simple waste here – the WCC has abused the earthquake and building assessment regime to support a redevelopment agenda that Wellingtonians did not ask for, do not want and cannot afford.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826808"> <div class="commentname"> JennyA, 26. November 2024, 5:20 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=e44d2fa685ae8ec637a0848060c980b8&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Hugh Rennie’s submission identifies the problem.<br /> Too many planners at Wellington City Council creating problems to solve.<br /> The solution = restructure staff.<br /> Save the bridge.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826809"> <div class="commentname"> Nico Darian, 26. November 2024, 5:25 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=9267882fad2a80cab8ecbed531df0894&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Intentional incompetence</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826814"> <div class="commentname"> Peter Dunnachie, 26. November 2024, 5:59 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=c2d4b33d984d1ae0c6a59c4af25066cd&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Is this a council or a development company ? Thankfully we now have a rational assessment of the performance of the bridge which takes in its full context. The allocation of costs to the bridge which are not directly associated with it shows a level of obfuscation which borders on deception.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826819"> <div class="commentname"> P R, 26. November 2024, 7:31 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=e760b0c6eae9d5dfa3ebc40e8b108b14&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>All these lies to put in a crossing to “calm” the traffic. Let’s proceed like no earthquake is coming because the variables are too vast. The amount we are spending to “protect” us against this massive EQ is far out-weighing the risk. Let’s just live! If you’re really scared of the EQ risk, move.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826826"> <div class="commentname"> Helene, 26. November 2024, 9:09 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=e08b710fc0c0bed36d9df7e9bcc1aa69&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Thanks Hugh. There appears to be a secret agenda working here.<br /> I had read these reports, attached only to the online version of the consultation document (i.e. not to the hard copy) and came to the same conclusion that you express here in detail. There is no transparent rationale for the Council’s destruction agenda. Even the possibility that councillors could save ratepayers $65million in today’s long term/annual plan deliberations (by removing the bridge and square demolitions) seems of no interest to the majority of them.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826836"> <div class="commentname"> Hera, 26. November 2024, 11:50 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=6410346f0ffb676bed8a321114652757&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Warren and Mahoney are not the WCC. The report and agenda being criticised appears to come from them.<br /> The profits from high-rise building sites in the area with access to the sea would presumably go to private construction companies and associated trades, not to the Council. So let’s look at the role of private businesses and consultants. Slagging off so-called bureaucrats may satisfy ideological biases but it may be more useful to see them across the ideological chasms, including the likes of Nicola W, as either naive and easily manipulated or as having whanau (and the rest) connections with business.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826845"> <div class="commentname"> Hugh Rennie, 26. November 2024, 12:57 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=d2c8fc65fee0cb97cdec7eb6cecce986&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Hera – The report states (page 2) that it is “prepared by Warren and Mahoney (with Place Collective, Ripple Resilience, and Tihei);” that contact about it is to be made with Warren and Mahoney Wellington, and includes this interesting disclaimer:</p> <p><em>“While Warren and Mahoney has endeavoured to summarise Te Ngakau Precinct Wide Development Plan process in this document and appendices, the report format cannot represent the broad range and depth of information captured on the Te Ngakau Precinct Wide Development Plan Drawings” … “Specifications and Schedules. Approval of the specific issues contained in this report does not discharge the obligation of the client team to review the drawings and specifications in their entirety.”</em></p> <p>As the WCC has disclosed this document (without its first page and otherwise unaltered) in its “consultation”, my statement that the cited references are by Warren and Mahoney is correct.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826850"> <div class="commentname"> Spiderman, 26. November 2024, 13:33 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=8b2ef06413ec569e264c7d1baf3b5890&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>So many expensive plans but not enough money or population to cover the costs. What next? Councillors and Mayor quitting their jobs? Wellington City is a shambles right now, with leaders spending Wellingtonians’ money with no results and no accountability. E.g LGWM: what have they done, how much was spent, what can we retrieve back? </p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826851"> <div class="commentname"> FrustratedRatepayer, 26. November 2024, 13:33 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=e26d321016e6bf324b9e522666f6e1df&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>The Kestler report has two factors assessed as “high” exposure/impact.<br /> One of these is the number of people that might be under the bridge in the event of a large earthquake, which is assessed as >100 – being 6 lanes of cars with 6 cars each and a bus. However, (a) the bridge is too narrow to fit 6 cars underneath and (b) if there’s a full bus, that means the council has gone ahead with its bus lanes, so there will only be four lanes for cars.<br /> Re-rating this factor to medium (which I consider more accurate) leaves only the “high” impact of disrupting the flow of emergency vehicles in the event of an earthquake. This assumes the bridge will be the only impediment to traffic after a large earthquake. Given the Quays are lined with buildings, including a lowly-rated carpark, I’m not sure the bridge should be singled out in this way.<br /> This all points to a predetermined, construed outcome by the Council. However, we are less stupid than the WCC assumes.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826857"> <div class="commentname"> John Gray, 26. November 2024, 15:04 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=0c4ebcde09b18c5d8ddd155a20c34509&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>The existential problem here is that the Council is all set to allocate $65 million in the Long Term Budget to DEMOLISH the bridge and flatten the rest of the civic centre site. If they take that step, demolition would start in January.</p> <p>Does the Council have a mandate to do this? NO!! They haven’t even finished the analysis of public submissions. But having just sat through the two days of oral submissions that followed the written submissions, I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of people said keep the City to Sea Bridge; and most said keep the Square we have. Yes, he whole precinct is fit for use, but it needs maintenance.</p> <p>As Hugh Rennie rightly pointed out, the City-to-Sea structure (as a bridge) does meet the Land Transport Authority’s standards for structural stability. It is not an ‘earthquake prone building’. It is not on the MBIE register of EQP buildings. Therefore the Council has no legal obligation to strengthen it. Which also means that the bill for keeping the bridge is zero, plus a fraction of the allowance for demolishing it spent on deferred maintenance.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826866"> <div class="commentname"> Joe King, 26. November 2024, 16:51 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=83bdb7dd1398608431fbad389ab8a138&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>WCC – Just keep seeking expensive reports to achieve what the public don’t support, until they are told what you want them to hear.<br /> One report has two names – both redacted and identical signatures. Such a situation could only indicate deception – $65 million worth.<br /> These people need an investigation, with consequences.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826874"> <div class="commentname"> Bill Beale, 26. November 2024, 18:44 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=fd03e3f1108c3359971fe1fabaa5157e&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Thanks to Sir Hugh for such a clear analysis of what is yet another in a long litany of misinformation, manipulation, withholding of information, and duplicity that characterises WCC management’s arrogance even in the full knowledge that they are now being officially observed.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1826877"> <div class="commentname"> JAB, 26. November 2024, 19:02 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=f77f3b148106299b5e94b66606e9c03c&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Putting yellow no-stopping hatching on the road under the bridge would help reduce risk. Especially when the lane has stopped for the lights.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="standard" id="comment-1826882"> <div class="commentname"> Micheal Brown, 26. November 2024, 19:40 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=3acee0b6d0b61f2d707492ba527bb51d&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Just fix the leaking water pipe problems and leave the bridge alone, problem solved, you’ve been found to be wanting again WCC.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> <li class="alt" id="comment-1827004"> <div class="commentname"> James Mc, 27. November 2024, 20:29 </div> <div class="commenttext"> <div class="commbgtop"></div> <div class="gravatar"><img src="https://www.gravatar.com/avatar.php?gravatar_id=3c14956b3b7c5babbefe8f1faddbce42&rating=PG&size=32" /></div> <div class="commentp"><p>Councils nationwide, it seems, use misinformation and creative narratives to try to bulldoze and smokescreen their agendas. Get the pipes sorted – stop the vanity and non priority projects. Leave the bridge as it stands, as it HAS stood without issues and many seismic events since its construction.</p> </div> <div class="commbgbottom"> </div> </div>  </li> </ol>  <h2>Write a comment:</h2> <div id="commentsform"> <form action="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform">  <p style="margin-top:0;"> <textarea name="comment" id="comment" cols="100%" rows="10" tabindex="1"></textarea> </p> <p> <input type="text" name="author" id="author" value="" size="22" tabindex="2" /> <label class="label" for="author">Name (required)</label> </p> <p> <input type="text" name="email" id="email" value="" size="22" tabindex="3" /> <label class="label" for="email">E-Mail (will not be published)(required)</label> </p> <p> <input type="text" name="url" id="url" value="" size="22" tabindex="4" /> <label class="label" for="url">Website (optional)</label> </p> <p> <input name="submit" type="submit" id="submit" tabindex="6" value="Submit Comment" /> <input type="hidden" name="comment_post_ID" value="165907" /> </p> <p style="display: none;"><input type="hidden" id="akismet_comment_nonce" name="akismet_comment_nonce" value="5f0bff9b04" /></p><p style="display: none;"><input type="hidden" id="ak_js" name="ak_js" value="29"/></p> </form> </div> </div>  </div>  <p> <div class="alignleft"></div> <div class="alignright"></div> </p> </div>  <div id="sidebar"> <div id="box-shadow" class="headline-right"><a href="https://pro.scoop.co.nz/?source=WSsb"><div id="get-more"> <i class="material-icons" style="color:#30A7BF;">work</i> <span>Get your team onto Scoop Pro</span> </div></a> </div> <div class="spacer-b"> </div> <div id="box-shadow" class="headline-right"><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?page_id=2&source=WSsb"><div id="get-more"> <i class="material-icons" style="color:#ec4438;">person_add</i> <span>Become a Wellington.Scoop Supporter</span> </div></a> </div> <div class="spacer-b"> </div> <div id="box-shadow" class="headline-right"><a href="https://twitter.com/scoopwellington"><div id="get-more"> <img src="https://www.scoop.co.nz/images/Icons_Twitter.svg"> <span>Wellington.Scoop on Twitter</span> </div></a> </div> <div class="spacer-b"> </div>  <div id="sidebar1"> <div class="spacer-b"> </div> <div id="box-shadow"> <h2>Latest Wellington news</h2> <big> <ul> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=166036">Limited options, and pre-determined decisions</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=166009">PM “all good” after police car crashes into the back of his limo</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165977">Grave concerns about Govt targets for 71% increase in bus and train fares</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=166005">Horowhenua Council won’t participate in Wellington water plan</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=166019">Two men facing drugs charges after arrests in Khandallah and Hataitai</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=166012">Three men arrested in Porirua after drive-by shooting in Nelson</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165986">HealthNZ staff distressed as 1500 more job cuts are planned</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165966">WCC “must listen to Golden Mile businesses” to avoid disruptions</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165960">Mayor defends vote to go ahead with Golden Mile ‘transformation’</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165956">Mayor gets votes to go ahead with $113m Golden Mile upgrade</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165948">Mayor Whanau lists projects to be cut, including Frank Kitts Park redevelopment</a></li> <li><a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165970">Food instead of art? 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Or something vaguer?"> If the so-called Golden Mle project goes ahead, it will certainly be the mayor’s legacy, but not i...</a></li> <li>Kbl:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165997#comment-1827144" title="on A rare win, to the city's detriment"> The Golden Mile project was part of LGWM which underwent extensive public consultation. In that, the...</a></li> <li>Max:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165948#comment-1827142" title="on Mayor Whanau lists projects to be cut, including Frank Kitts Park redevelopment"> I would like to see the organic waste and green waste collected at the tip together for free. The co...</a></li> <li>Hel:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165997#comment-1827141" title="on A rare win, to the city's detriment"> Ben McNulty, the Begonia House is not heritage listed. What you describe is the root cause of many ...</a></li> <li>Kerryn Pollock:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165997#comment-1827139" title="on A rare win, to the city's detriment"> Councillor McNulty's comment that a 'cheap and cheerful' fix is impeded by heritage status is not co...</a></li> <li>ExLGME:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=166005#comment-1827137" title="on Horowhenua Council won't participate in Wellington water plan"> It is good to see that some local councils are looking beyond the concept of a large water authority...</a></li> <li>Simon:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165997#comment-1827136" title="on A rare win, to the city's detriment"> The Begonia House isn't a listed heritage building, Ben. I’m bewildered a councillor responsible f...</a></li> <li>Julienz:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165997#comment-1827132" title="on A rare win, to the city's detriment"> The long forgotten ...</a></li> <li>Claire:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165997#comment-1827131" title="on A rare win, to the city's detriment"> Ben: the Begonia House has 240,000 visitors a year. It needs to be fixed even bit by bit, not suffer...</a></li> <li>Son:<a href="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=165966#comment-1827129" title="on WCC "must listen to Golden Mile businesses" to avoid disruptions"> Can it be please be mandatory that those employed by the council identify themselves when commenting...</a></li> </ul> </div>    <div class="spacer-b"> </div> <div id="dfp-shadow" class="headline-right">  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1510201739461-3' style='height:250px; width:300px;'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1510201739461-3'); }); </script> </div> </div> <div class="spacer-b"> </div>   <p />    </div>  <div id="sidebar2"> <ul> <li id="rss-4" class="widget widget_rss"><h2 class="widgettitle"><a class="rsswidget" href="https://www.theatreview.org.nz/feed/reviews-region?region=wellington"><img class="rss-widget-icon" style="border:0" width="14" height="14" src="https://wellington.scoop.co.nz/wp-includes/images/rss.png" alt="RSS" /></a> <a class="rsswidget" href="https://www.theatreview.org.nz/">Wellington Theatre Reviews</a></h2> <ul><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/improv-at-its-best-offers-life-lessons-to-us-all/'>Improv at its best offers life lessons to us all</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/the-cast-of-15-dance-with-enthusiasm-and-commitment/'>The cast of 15 dance with enthusiasm and commitment</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/strong-dancing-stylish-presentation-great-lighting/'>Strong dancing , stylish presentation, great lighting</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/well-tuned-with-a-flair-for-spontaneous-creativity/'>Well-tuned with a flair for spontaneous creativity</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/a-joyful-and-inventive-ode-to-the-stage/'>A joyful and inventive ode to the stage</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/their-happiness-is-our-happiness-and-it-is-considerable/'>Their happiness is our happiness and it is considerable</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/a-consensual-canvas-exploring-improvisational-freedom/'>A consensual canvas exploring improvisational freedom</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/sleeping-beauty-brings-time-warps-and-twists/'>Sleeping Beauty brings time warps and twists</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/boisterous-enthusiasm-pop-up-globes-crowd-pleasing-a-midsummer-nights-dream/'>‘Boisterous enthusiasm’: Pop-up Globe’s crowd-pleasing A Midsummer Night’s Dream</a></li><li><a class='rsswidget' href='https://www.theatreview.org.nz/review/brings-a-fresh-approach-to-an-age-old-and-much-loved-tradition/'>Brings a fresh approach to an age-old and much-loved tradition</a></li></ul></li> <li id="linkcat-14899" class="widget widget_links"><h2 class="widgettitle">All About Wellington</h2> <ul class='xoxo blogroll'> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#All%20that's%20on">All that's on</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Art">Art</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Cinema">Cinema</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Community">Community</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Councils">Councils</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Education">Education</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Health">Health</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#History">History</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Music">Music</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Sport">Sport</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Theatre">Theatre</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Travel">Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/?page_id=104738#Wellington%20blogs">Wellington blogs</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="text-4" class="widget widget_text"> <div class="textwidget"><style> body.scrolling-menu { padding-top: unset; 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