The NZ Transport Agency has decided not to appeal the High Court’s Basin Bridge decision, and says the High Court’s findings provide valuable clarity to help guide the development of future infrastructure projects throughout the country.
The High Court issued a ruling on 21 August dismissing the Transport Agency’s appeal of last year’s Board of Inquiry decision to cancel the notice of requirement and decline resource consents for the Basin Bridge proposal.
Acting Chief Executive Jenny Chetwynd says the Transport Agency appealed to the High Court to clarify the law applying to the process for assessments of notices of requirement for the Basin Bridge project, and for other infrastructure projects across the country, that arose in the context of the Board of inquiry's decision on the Basin Bridge proposal.
“We have listened to and considered the High Court’s decision, and we accept its findings. We will not be appealing this decision, as the High Court’s decision provides useful clarification on a number of points of law for future infrastructure projects.
“This clarity will be valuable when we, and other infrastructure providers, are preparing for future projects.”
Ms Chetwynd said that the High Court ruling means this project will not proceed as the Transport Agency does not have the required approvals. She says the Agency is committed to working together with the community and local councils, particularly Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council, to spark new conversations and ideas about the best way forward for delivering vital transport improvements for the Capital.
“We’re now looking to the future with renewed commitment to work in partnership with Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and other local agencies to jointly identify, plan and deliver significant and integrated improvements across the Wellington transport system in the corridor between the Wellington Urban Motorway and Wellington International Airport for all transport users.
“At the same time, we recognise there are some immediate transport issues to tackle, and together with our council partners, we’ll be looking to implement optimisation improvements in the short term, helping to keep people and goods moving through the city.”
