Locals look for tunnel input

Locals look for tunnel input

Mt Vic activists are gearing up to fight to have a say in – or to block – a new tunnel through the maunga.

The Mt Victoria Residents’ Association is organising a public meeting to gather the views of residents on the project, which looks set to be one of those ‘fast tracked’ by the Government.

“This will be hugely disruptive to Mt Victoria if built, and the details remain unclear. We will hold a public meeting to discuss the impacts if this tunnel goes ahead,” said MVRA president Ellen Blake.

Save the Basin Campaign, the group that helped prevent NZTA and a previous National Government from building a flyover near the historic Basin Reserve 10 years ago, is stepping up its activity.

The group is concerned by the process, and indications that no public transport, walking or cycling capacity will be included in the project.

“The new fast-track process could see such a project being steamrolled through by a Government ignorant of due process, accountability, the natural environment, or the vital need to reduce our transport emissions,” a spokesperson said.

“Save the Basin Campaign supports the development of a sustainable, low-carbon transport system for Wellington - which a duplicate car tunnel would directly contradict.”

The National-led government has introduced a Fast-Track Approvals Bill to Parliament which would allow projects of national and regional significance to avoid usual RMA consultation processes.

Projects will have their conditions set by an expert panel, but Ministers will have the final sign off.

The list of projects to qualify for the process has not been revealed, however it’s almost certain that the new Mount Victoria tunnel will be one of them.

The fast track announcement was made at the Basin Reserve, and according to news reports, lead Minister Chris Bishop acknowledged one of the projects likely to be fast-tracked was the second Mt Victoria tunnel in Wellington, which the National Party has previously promised to be initiated within the Government’s first term.

Also in question is whether the new tunnel will include walking and cycling elements, after Transport Minister Simeon Brown has refused to commit to them.

Brown said any walking and cycling provision would need to be funded by the allocated budget for walking and cycling activity, or local councils, not the roading fund.

It’s not clear if there is any opportunity whatsoever for public input to the design process, so Mt Victoria residents may end up being by-standers to a major project that will cause major disruption for years, not to mention a permanent impact on the suburb.

The closing date for submissions on the legislation is Friday 19 April.

The Mt Victoria Residents’ Association is hosting a public meeting to discuss the proposed new Mount Victoria tunnel on Thursday 11 April at 7pm at St Joseph’s church hall on Brougham St. See their Facebook page for updates.