Federation hails plans to reuse Waterview rock

Federation hails plans to reuse Waterview rock

Moves to reuse earth and rock from the upcoming Waterview motorway tunnels project for coastal land reclamation have been welcomed by the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation.

Federation Chief Executive Jeremy Sole said plans by the New Zealand Transport Agency to test the material for suitability for use in the Onehunga reclamation project was an excellent example of a Government agency working with the community for the public good.

The scheme has been proposed by the Onehunga Enhancement Society, which believes that up to 600,000 cubic metres of material to be removed for Waterview could be used in the scheme to restore beaches destroyed in the 1970s by the Mangere motorway project.

“This is exactly the kind of collaboration we need to see and, where appropriate, we hope it sets a precedent for future projects countrywide,” said Mr Sole. “If communities and Government agencies can collaborate in this way then the already-considerable benefits of developing roads of national significance will be enhanced still further.

“It means we will see reduced travel times and congestion relief, community benefits from improved mobility, reduced carbon footprint and enhancement of our natural environment.

“It would also mean that the value of significant, well-planned projects goes way beyond the amount paid for them, offsetting the overall cost to taxpayers.”

ENDS