Source: Radio New Zealand
Wellington’s City to Sea bridge. Paul McCredie
A popular footbridge connecting Wellington’s waterfront to the central city has been saved from demolition – but its seismic risk won’t be addressed.
There’s been a years-long fight over the City to Sea bridge – and the former Capital E building underneath – with officials saying the council could not afford the estimated $85 million strengthening work required.
Advocates for saving it argued cheaper strengthening options were available.
In December 2024, the council agreed to demolish the bridge, but works were paused while Wellington City Council awaited the outcome of the government’s earthquake-prone building review.
The decision to tear the bridge down was revoked in December last year.
On Thursday, councillors voted unanimously to spend about $15m to “renew” the City to Sea bridge and “minimally strengthen and upgrade” the former Capital E building.
“The significant seismic vulnerabilities of the former Capital E building are addressed, with some remaining seismic issues,” meeting agenda documents said.
“Seismic resilience risks identified with the City to Sea Bridge would not be addressed.”
The Capital E building would become a “cold shell”, which is safe for the public but inappropriate for most commercial operations.
Specific types of operations could benefit from its simplicity and flexibility, council officials wrote.
“Potential tenants would complete a fitout at their own cost, protecting the council from cost escalations, delays, and budget and scope creep risks.”
They said the decision required a higher tolerance to seismic risk and was a “significant departure” from the council’s previous approach to resilience within Te Ngakau Civic Square, which the bridge is connected to.
City having ‘a heart transplant’
Councillor Nicola Young said she was happy with the decision, which was democracy in action.
“It’s impossible to please all of the people, all of the time,” she said.
“At last, Wellington’s premier public space is being returned to the city. The bridge has been reopened, the former Capital E structure will have a new life, the central library opens next month, the City Gallery later this year, and the beautiful Town Hall reopens next year.
“Wellington is having a heart transplant.”
The council’s city strategy and delivery committee chairperson, councillor Nureddin Abdurahman, said the decision was practical and made possible by the greater flexibility in the government’s proposed reforms to the earthquake-prone building system.
“This decision balances upgrading the bridge and the former Capital E building with affordability and delivering what Wellingtonians most need and value,” he said.
“We’re able to keep and refurbish the bridge, build a bridge with the community, upgrade the former Capital E site so it can be used, and ensure our investment reflects appropriate financial restraint.”
Officers advised councillors the option provided the best value to benefit ratio.
The work would lift the former Capital E building to the minimum level required under current regulations, and the strengthened building would be considered a non-earthquake prone building under new regulations.
Work would start this month, and be completed by April 2027.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
