RiverLink— what it’s about and what happens next

RiverLink is a transformative project for Lower Hutt, with a total budget of nearly $460 million. It aims to revitalise Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River for a more resilient, more connected, more vibrant city.

The main themes of the project are a healthier river and environment with better flood protection; better transport connections; recreation opportunities in an improved river park; and a vibrant, prosperous central city.

We are seeking your feedback on the indicative design for RiverLink. Go to riverlink.co.nz/yoursay to share your views.

After considering your feedback and incorporating ideas where possible, we will finalise the plans and apply for resource consent. This leaflet tells you more about the project and what happens next.

Where?The site extends from State Highway 2 in the north-west across the river to the connection with Lower Hutt city centre, and between Kennedy Good Bridge to the north east and Ewen Bridge to the south west. It takes in an area four kilometres in length, including existing residential and business land next to the existing stopbanks.

Who is leading this work?RiverLink is a partnership between Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hutt City Council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency working together with Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira as mana whenua.

Together we are investing around $456 million: — NZ Upgrade Programme (Waka Kotahi) $258 million

— Greater Wellington $125 million — Hutt City Council $73 million

We are working closely with mana whenua to enhance the mana and mouri of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River through this project. This means putting the river first and keeping a balance between the health of the river and its use by the community—minimising harmful impacts.

Mana whenua have a strong interest in making sure this project respects the river, strengthens our relationship with our environment and improves the ecology and water quality in the area.

What are the next steps?After we have refined the proposed design, incorporating community feedback, specialist advice and mana whenua input, we will invite you to an open day on 13 February 2021 so you can see the how the designs are looking. Then we will refine the design and apply for resource consent and designations in mid 2021.

The consenting process is likely to involve further opportunities for you to have your say, through submissions to the consenting authority. If we are successful in getting a resource consent, we estimate RiverLink construction work will begin in late 2022.

Questions or comments?You can call RiverLink on 0800 496 734 or email riverlink@gw.govt.nz

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2009 Hutt City Council ‘Making Places’ concepts2012 Greater Wellington flood protection

option development2015 Greater Wellington flood protection

option selected2017 RiverLink preliminary design

Waka Kotahi Melling intersection indicative business case

2019 Waka Kotahi Melling transport improvements detailed business case

2019–2021 RiverLink Pre-implementation Planning and Design

Mid 2021 RiverLink resource consent lodged2022 RiverLink detailed design and

construction begins2026 Melling Interchange construction complete

HAVE YOUR SAY!

Three integrated partsThe project comprises three main parts, led by our three partners, which together will help to lay the foundations for the thriving city we all want to see. We are taking a joined-up approach in our design, so we deliver good outcomes for the river, the community and the city.

Flood protectionHutt City has experienced many flood events over the years. We propose to construct higher and broader stopbanks on both sides of the river to provide improved flood protection.

The proposed works, led by Greater Wellington Regional Council, will protect residents from large flood events that could affect up to 3000 homes, five schools and 600 businesses with an estimated $1.1 billion of damage across the community.

A river cityThe area where the central city and the river meet is a key feature of this project. The idea for this area is to ‘turn the city to face the river’—through better access between the city and the river, and planning changes to enable quality development of housing and commercial buildings, and more to do and see. Changes in the central city are led by Hutt City Council.

Melling transport improvementsThe NZ Upgrade Programme has allocated $258 million to fund the Melling Transport Improvements project. This funding means that construction is expected to begin around 2022 and be complete in 2026, depending on the outcome of consenting and other project steps.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is leading development of a new Melling interchange to provide better and safer connections between State Highway 2 and the central city. This work includes a new Melling bridge crossing Te Awa Kairangi, and new walking and cycling links. Funding for this work comes from the Government’s NZ Upgrade Programme.

Melling train station and park and ride will be relocated, so it is directly across the river from the central city with a new pedestrian and cycle bridge providing easy access over the river. Delivery of the pedestrian and cycle bridge will be led by Hutt City Council.

What will this proposed plan mean for the river and the city?If the project is granted resource consent, there will be significant river engineering to enable the construction of bigger stopbanks and bridges, and to create a habitat where the river’s flora and fauna thrive. Wetlands will be created, streams flowing into the river will be better connected so local species can move around more easily, and we will improve stormwater outfalls to improve water quality.

To create space for the improvements to Te Awa Kairangi, we plan to change some of the roading and parking arrangements near the river. We will need to acquire some additional land to make this possible.

While we are still investigating the options, we are already talking individually to everyone whose property may be affected by the proposals.

We will share more information about the RiverLink proposals in the early part of 2021. You will have the opportunity to provide feedback.

NZ Upgrade Programme Announced in January 2020, the New Zealand Upgrade Programme is investing $6.8 billion nationwide to get our cities moving, save lives and boost productivity.

Willow and native planted river edge

Realigned river channel

Gravel beach

Rock-lined river channel

New stopbank

New stopbank

Urban development

Park and Ride

Relocated Melling Station

New pedestrian and cycle bridge

New Melling bridge

New Melling Interchange

Pathway

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