North Shore councillors, along with Kaipātiki Local Board, welcome the decision to re-open Northcote Wharf.
Northcote Wharf has been closed since June when routine maintenance inspections identified a number of structural issues with the 60-year old ferry facility.
Yesterday, Auckland Transport’s Board announced they would repair the wharf at a cost of around $1 million.
The board had considered a number of options, including closing the wharf permanently or replacing it with a significantly more expensive all-weather facility that would deliver improved reliability for ferry services.
The all-weather proposal was estimated to cost around $11 million, while an entirely new structure, at a new location in the Northcote area, would cost up to $20 million.
Councillor Hills, who presented at yesterday’s meeting of the Auckland Transport Board, says: “While the all-weather option was and is the preferred solution, I do understand the pragmatic and prudent decision made by the AT Board.”
“Whilst not the ideal solution for Northcote long-term, it is the solution that will enable a resumption of services in the quickest possible timeframe, using funding that is available to be used now,” says Hills.
Councillor Hills and Kaipātiki Local Board, through chair John Gillon and member Lindsay Waugh, advocated to the Auckland Transport Board for a new all-weather facility to be built. The local board demonstrated their support by earmarking up to $2 million from its budgets towards construction costs.
“There is a bit of a chicken and egg situation here I think,” says Cr Hills.
“Building an all-weather facility would mean the ferry services at Northcote would be far more reliable and attractive. If services aren’t reliable or attractive, people don’t use them, and if people don’t use them, it’s difficult to build a justifiable business case for an investment of up to $20 million.”
Investing in the future of Northcote Wharf
Kaipātiki Local Board Chair John Gillon says, "While we are pleased Auckland Transport has chosen to invest in the future of Northcote Wharf and the Northcote ferry service, we are a little disappointed we were not able to convince the board to commit to the preferred solution of an all-weather facility."
“For the North Shore, ferry services are our "blue highway", and they are an important part of the solution in combating car congestion and pollution,” he says.
Councillor Hills says he and Councillor Chris Darby will continue to advocate for funding in long-term plans to get a replacement facility in the future.
“We encourage people to submit in support of an all-weather facility to the upcoming (draft) Regional Public Transport Plan.”
“To help us with our part, we need the public to tell us through submissions if this is something they see as a priority transport project for investment,” he says.
Keep an eye on OurAuckland or on the Auckland Transport website for more information on Auckland Transport’s upcoming Regional Public Transport Plan consultation.
