4 March 2004
Press release

Henderson Creek projects to benefit from funding reallocation

Money originally allocated to building a new footbridge over Henderson Creek is now going to be used to reinstate an historic Henderson jetty and build another.

Tui Glen will get a new ‘heritage’ jetty in the same location at its original – which featured in many old photos of Henderson residents and visitors.

A new jetty and launch ramp will also be built behind the Trusts Stadium complex, providing another access to the Henderson Creek. Award-winning artist Virginia King (who designed New Lynn’s Rewarewa Footbridge and components of Waitakere’s West Wave Aquatic Centre) will be working with the Council to add an exciting arts component to the jetty design.

However, the Council will be holding onto Virginia’s stunning design for the proposed Henderson Creek suspension bridge, which was to link the new Trusts Stadium to the Henderson Creek Walkway at Te Atatu South.

While the estimated $300,000 increase in project costs and a re-think on the appropriateness of its location has led to the cancellation of the bridge project, the Council may look at building it at a later date, when a more suitable location and extra funding are found and the construction market isn’t so heated.

“The increased costs means the project just isn’t viable at the present time,” says Henderson Ward Councillor, Brenda Brady.

“We also felt it would be wrong to build such a beautiful bridge in a place where it would only be enjoyed by a fraction of our population. It’s a bridge that needs to be seen and it deserves a more prominent location that will make the most of its design and enable more people to enjoy it,” she says.

“However, the construction market is overheated at present, pushing prices up and making it difficult for us to find contractors for all of our capital works projects. But while the footbridge project has been cancelled at this time, residents can take heart that the reallocation of funds means other important works are still being carried out in the community.”

Ends

© Scoop Media

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