Community update

10 February 2023

Welcome to our first RiverLink update for 2023

This is going to be an action-packed year as construction finally begins on this transformational set of projects.

RiverLink is a partnership of Waka Kotahi, Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington, and Iwi mana whenua – Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika (Taranaki Whānui) and Ngāti Toa Rangatira (Ngāti Toa) – all working together on this once in a lifetime opportunity to transform central Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt).

It includes the delivery of crucial flood protection work, transport improvements, and revitalisation of the city centre.

Early works are scheduled to start in mid-2023 and main construction scheduled to start later in the year.

Check out what has happened recently and what is coming up below. You can learn more about the project by going to the RiverLink website or Facebook page.

Project update

Procurement process nears completion 

The procurement process is one of the most important steps for the RiverLink programme as it will help establish an alliance of design and construction firms who will join us to deliver the project. 

Excitingly a preferred team will be announced in March. The teams currently being considered all understand the programme and what is expected of them to deliver to our expectations and those of the community.

We will keep you updated about the preferred alliance team as soon as we can. 

Read more>

Recent news

New Jobs and Skills Hub 

A new Jobs and Skills Hub will open in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt) this year, partnering with employers and helping provide locals with support to enter apprenticeships, training and employment opportunities in construction and infrastructure.

It is estimated that thousands of new jobs will come out of local projects like RiverLink over the next decade, which is why RiverLink project partners have agreed to utilise the Hub as a key source of recruitment for the programme of works.

Read more>

Smooth process at Environment Court

The Environment Court has recognised the collaborative and inclusive efforts of RiverLink partners (Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington) towards their resource consent process.

In its final decision, the Court recognised a genuine and effective effort had been made by all parties around resolving many of the issues, noting the Court did not have to incur additional expenses to conduct the hearing.

You can find a copy of the final consent conditions here.

Read more>

Hutt City Council receives over $98 million for major infrastructure upgrades

Hutt City Council’s application to the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) has been approved, with $98.9 million granted for major stormwater infrastructure upgrades.

The infrastructure upgrades will unlock vital development and provide capacity for around 3,500 new homes.

Read more>

What’s coming up

Enabling RiverLink to begin

As the RiverLink programme moves forward, we acknowledge the challenges and disruption that some residents may face, particularly those currently living in properties required within the project area.

Properties have been acquired by the project and are now being vacated in preparation for demolition from mid-2023. 

We understand concerns around the removal of housing, but a key part of RiverLink remains the need to give the river more room. This will help make the city more resilient to flooding and in turn support urban revitalisation of Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt).

We’ll continue to work proactively and respectfully with residents as RiverLink is delivered.

More information

RiverLink is a combination of three separate but interdependent projects, delivered as a single programme of works that will transform Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt).

It's a partnership between Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira to deliver flood protection, the revitalisation of Lower Hutt’s central city and transport improvements.

For additional information or to subscribe to our project updates, please go to www.riverlink.co.nz.

You can also stay up to date by connecting with us on Facebook.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our team via email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.