3 July 2007

Greening the Quays a success

The planting of pohutukawa trees along Wellington’s waterfront quays has been hailed a huge success, coming in almost $1 million under budget and proving extremely popular with Wellingtonians.

The planting of 60 Maori Princess pohutukawa trees and more than 400 native shrubs along a specially-created 1.1km median strip on the Quays is now complete.

“And if public feedback is anything to go by, the trees are a huge hit,” says Mayor Kerry Prendergast. “It is incredible how a simple line of trees has transformed one of the country’s busiest streets into a more attractive, safe place for both drivers and pedestrians.

“The fact that the project was completed on time and $900,000 below budget is the icing on the cake. It’s a fantastic result.”

The final cost of the project was $2.5 million. The savings were achieved because the work required was less complicated than anticipated and the contractor was able to pass the savings on to the Council.

Mayor Prendergast says in light of the success of the project, she will propose to Council that the trees be extended up Taranaki Street to connect with the corridor of trees and shrubs planted along the Inner City Bypass and to beautify the entrance to the New Zealand Memorial Park announced by the Government earlier this year.

“We now have a wonderful and unique opportunity to create a lattice of green streets and parks around the central city. Now that Taranaki Street is no longer a State Highway, it is time to transform this important but neglected street with trees, shrubs and art work. A beautiful Taranaki Street will unify Te Aro and give it a green spine. It would also make a fitting entrance to the New Zealand Memorial Park,” she says.

The Greening of Taranaki Street would be cost-effective as the Council has to install a new stormwater pipe along the street within the next few years. When the deep trench for the pipe is filled, the trees and shrubs could be planted at the same time, more than halving the cost.

Mayor Prendergast says she will submit a proposal for Greening Taranaki Street to the Council in the 2008/09 Draft Annual Plan. The proposal will be part of a broader vision for the greening the central city.

ENDS

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