Port Marlborough’s chief executive says there is “no ambiguity” that inter-island ferry services will remain in Picton, as major upgrades to ferry facilities begin.
By Kira Carrington for Local Democracy Reporting
Work kicked off this week with demolition of the old 250m steel and concrete vehicle access bridge by Port Marlborough contractor HEB Construction, which had not been used since the Interislander ferry Aratere was retired last year.
Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys Welbourn said on Tuesday the demolition marked a "decisive transition" into project delivery for the Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project.
"This project underpins New Zealand’s freight, passenger and supply chain resilience. With work now under way, there is no ambiguity about where the future of inter-island connectivity is being delivered," he said.
"Marlborough is moving, and we are getting on with the job."
A business consortium had proposed moving ferry services out of Picton to Clifford Bay, south of Blenheim, making ferry trips quicker and reducing vehicle movements on State Highway 1.
CB Port Ltd told the Government’s National Infrastructure Funding and Financing agency that moving the ferry port to Clifford Bay would shorten the ferry journey by 110 minutes.
A multi-use ferry terminal and port could be built at Clifford Bay using private capital, CB Port director Steven Grice said in August.
Rail Minister Winston Peters had publicly rejected the bid and committed to replacing the infrastructure at Picton, but Grice said Peters was open to further discussion.
However, Welbourn said on Tuesday that the redevelopment was no longer theoretical.
"This week marks a turning point. We are now seeing physical change on the ground.
"This work clearly demonstrates the shared commitment of all project partners to advance the redevelopment, with investment locked in and the redevelopment happening now here in Marlborough."
Redeveloping the port at Picton was clearly in the public interest, and the new redevelopment would build on generations of existing investment and experience in transporting people and freight through Picton, he said.
"Waitohi Picton has connected New Zealand for generations," Welbourn said.
"Those who first established the port here understood the logic of place, and this redevelopment reinforces that thinking with modern infrastructure that sits directly on State Highway 1 and the national rail network.
"What matters now is building resilient, efficient connections for the country, not chasing unproven ideas elsewhere."
The redevelopment also represented a clear public value proposition, with investment delivering benefits locally and nationally.
"The money spent here is not only for national benefit ‒ it also circulates through Marlborough, supports local jobs and capability, and ultimately delivers returns to ratepayers," he said.
"That is a very different outcome to infrastructure designed to serve private interests."
Most of the bridge’s eight 200-tonne spans would be reused, with about 90% of the bridge’s materials to be diverted from landfill.
Once the bridge was gone, demolition of the existing linkspan at No.2 Long Arm Wharf would begin, clearing the site for the construction of the new wharf.
Port Marlborough said they were working closely with Ferry Holdings, KiwiRail, port customers and technical partners to remain fully operational while the works took place.
"This is complex work in a live port, and we are managing it carefully and deliberately," Welbourn said.
"What is important is that we are now in motion. Demolition is under way, momentum is building, and Marlborough is getting on with delivering infrastructure that New Zealand relies on."
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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