Friday, August 03, 2007
As Mayor of Hutt City, I welcome you all to the start of construction on the Dowse to Petone Upgrade Project.
In particular, I want to acknowledge the presence of the Minister of Transport Annette King, Transit Chief Executive Rick van Barneveld, MP for Ohariu Belmont Hon Peter Dunne and members of the local iwi.
I am honoured and pleased to be here for this historic occasion and have the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of the city.
Today’s sod turning brings to reality a project that we have eagerly anticipated for a while, and which will deliver real benefits to our city.
It will provide another access route to and from the city, and improve transport links to popular destinations like The New Dowse, Westfield Queensgate and the new Harvey Norman development.
For early morning commuters to Wellington, it will offer some relief from traffic congestion.
It also heralds the start of other work, including a new overbridge at Korokoro and much-needed safety improvements along SH2.
The Dowse to Petone Upgrade Project represents a major investment by the Government in transport infrastructure in our city and region.
It comes at a time when Hutt City Council is investing significantly in infrastructure too.
Along with improving the city’s flood defences and stormwater network, we have for the first time budgeted for a number of new transport projects: the Cross Valley Link road, Melling Bridge upgrade or duplication, and CBD traffic flow improvements.
This commitment to infrastructure ensures that our city works well, and makes it a place people want to live and work.
Partnerships are crucial to the success of projects like this one.
First, I want to thank the Transport Minister Annette King and her government for putting extra money in the budget to get the project up and running.
My thanks also to Transit for the work it has done on the project thus far, and best wishes for the next two-and-a-half years.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the cooperation of landowners and, in particular, Te Tatau O Te Po marae. While it is recognised that there have been issues, there has been a tremendous level of goodwill and for that I want to thank you.
Collectively you have enabled us to join together today and celebrate the start of this project.
I look forward to seeing you all again to celebrate its successful completion and opening in 2010.
Thank you.