Former RNZAF Shelly Bay under threat

[30sqnatc]

All the boxes of paper files will hold the NA building up.

The former defence HQ building wasn't 'destroyed' by the earthquake, it was decided by the owners that it wasn't economic to undertake repairs.

[Dave Homewood]

That is exactly the same thing. It is no longer there because of the quake 200+ kms away. A modern new building. Had the quake been in Wellington, it would have been a lot worse for that building despite its modern building codes. Older buildings won't fair much better surely.

Or was there something particular about that building the govt isn't saying since it has been kept pretty quiet that the quake put an end to it.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Cuba Street came through that earthquake completely unscathed, in spite of all that unsecured Victorian masonry.

As did the grand old Edwardian town hall, which is currently undergoing a $90 million earthquake-strenthening job (including completely new foundations).

I think the problem is that a lot of modern buildings are deliberately engineered so they will save the occupants, but not necessarily the building itself.

And in the case of Defence Headquarters, the old Defence Headquarters building in Stout Street (now occupied by Mnistry of Business and Inovation) also came through the earthquake unscathed, although it had been strengthened and upgraded since Defence moved out to their flash new leased (off the private sector, go figure) headquarters building, which now no longer exists.

[saratoga]

Kiwithrottlejockey,
You are right, though if the earthquake was closer to Wellington the older buildings would likely have suffered more damage, as ironincally the newer buildings were designed for closer quakes(different wave forms).
And the thinking then was for survivability at the cost of the building.
Thinking has changed now so any newer buildings should be designed and constructed to be survivable and also usable after a quake,to reduce the disruption due to so many buildings having to be demolished.
My guess is thats part of the reason buildings are still being condemned, as the wholesale destruction of them immediately after the event would be too disruptive to BAU.
I guess we could all move to the nirvana that is Cambridge, Dave sounds like a friendly bloke.

[isc]

A few weeks before my medical discharge from the BES in 1964 I was sent to wellington for further medical tests, and was a bit alarmed when walking the corridors of the old hospital, there were more ups and downs than a roller coaster, I believe that was an earthquake during WW2. isc

[saratoga]

I guess its too late for Cambridge now, looks like the jaffas will be moving in soon...

www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/109066703/cambridge-train-still-a-possibility-as-part-of-hamiltonauckland-growth-corridor-plan

[Dave Homewood]

The train is unlikely to happen. And we already have loads of people living here that work in Auckland.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Dec 10, 2018 21:30:49 GMT 12 saratoga said:

I guess its too late for Cambridge now, looks like the jaffas will be moving in soon...

www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/109066703/cambridge-train-still-a-possibility-as-part-of-hamiltonauckland-growth-corridor-plan

They could move all that stuff to Wairarapa.

We already have a regular train service and money has been allocated through Land Transport New Zealand to completely upgrade the rail link to Wellington, and to finance new higher-speed multiple unit trains; and we already have heaps of JAFAs bailing out of Auckland and moving down here, then commuting to jobs in Auckland.

But then again, no thanks, I like Wairarapa in its generally unpopulated state as it is (unfortunately, we can't do anything about all the big new housing developments already underway in all of the Wairarapa towns to accommodate all those JAFAs), so keep all that stuff in Wellington, or send it elsewhere.

Besides, we're going to get a huge new aviation centre adjacent to Hood before too long, so we don't need all that other stuff currently stored in Wellington.

[Dave Homewood]

Another reason you cannot put faith in modern buildings surviving a quake, council incompetence

www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/377978/engineers-warned-council-over-quake-damaged-building-s-design

[tbf25o4]

How ironic was it that the old Stout St building the home of Defence since WWII was left for the new defence building adjacent to the Freyberg building, with one of the reasons being
that the Stout St building was not up to earthquake standards. Admittedly the new owners of Stout St did some remedial strengthening, but in the November 2016 earthquake it was the
new Freyberg annex that collapsed!

[mumbles]

Dec 10, 2018 11:13:48 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

it is blindingly obvious that the fault lines did not escape their notice Sam. However that very thing will have been taken into account when designing and building the 'new' NZDF Headquarters building right across the road from the archives, which was destroyed by the Kaikoura quake that was centred over 200km away! That was virtually a brand new building designed to all the most modern standards and it's now gone because of a quake down country. So what if that quake had been centred in Wellington?

Much the same likely would have happened. The point missed about "new" buildings failing in earthquakes, especially in Wellington, is that they are performing as designed. They are not collapsing during the earthquake, and allowing the occupants to escape. Whether or not the building subsequently requires demolition is beside that point, and the NZDF building is not the only one in Wellington that fell into that category - there are numerous buildings that have been subsequently demolished or slated for demolition as a result of the 2013 and 2016 earthquakes. The Kaikoura quake epicentre might have been some distance away, but it triggered fault ruptures as close to Wellington as Cape Campbell, and the shaking was still locally intense, and in some places amplified by the local geography. Whether or not the buildings in Christchurch were up to code is arguable. The CTV building was not.

Dec 10, 2018 11:13:48 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Just because you live there and enjoy a complacency that you're safe through regulations does not mean you are.

Please don't make assumptions about my knowledge and supposed complacency about natural hazards in Wellington as a lifetime resident thanks

[mumbles]

Dec 10, 2018 20:35:16 GMT 12 kiwithrottlejockey said:

Cuba Street came through that earthquake completely unscathed, in spite of all that unsecured Victorian masonry.

Many of the buidings there are deemed to require strengthening though.

[Dave Homewood]

New Shelly Bay plans reveal improved foreshore accessibility
5:11 pm today

More green spaces and increased accessibility to the foreshore are shown in new plans for a development at Wellington's Shelly Bay, which have been released today.


Shelly Bay project designers are promising beautiful building forms befitting the pristine coastal environment. Photo: RNZ /SUPPLIED

Late last year consents for the $500 million project were quashed by the Court of Appeal, which ruled Wellington City Council had got the law wrong when issuing the consent for the project.

The developers, Taranaki Whanui and the Wellington Company say the project's designers will be challenged to deliver not only highly-efficient and sustainable structures, but also beautiful building forms befitting its pristine coastal environment.

"A key design driver for Shelly Bay is ensuring the overarching vision for Shelly Bay is maintained at all times," the firm said.

"This is guided by the Shelly Bay master plan and design guide and overseen by a design panel of professionals, in accordance with the original agreement with Wellington City Council.

"The panel will be vested with ensuring the final development and design solution for Shelly Bay Taikuru is consistent with the approved consent and guiding principles."

They say the project is an important milestone for Taranaki Whānui in progressing iwi aspirations, in its post-settlement era.

Resource consents for the project will be sought next month.


www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/385813/new-shelly-bay-plans-reveal-improved-foreshore-accessibility

[Dave Homewood]

Filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson takes Wellington Mayor Justin Lester to task over Shelly Bay
Tom Hunt
05:00, Mar 29 2019


An image released on March 28 of the proposed Shelly Bay development which would involve 350 apartments and townhouses, hotels, a rest home, ferry terminal, marina and cable car link to Mt Crawford.

Sir Peter Jackson has launched a scathing attack on the Wellington mayor and council, distancing himself from any involvement in the controversial development of Shelly Bay.

Having been invited to a meeting, the filmmaker pulls no punches in his 1270-word email to Justin Lester.

He warns that the capital's "precious green space" at Shelly Bay will be ruined by a development reminiscent of "Soviet-era apartments".


Director Peter Jackson has slammed Wellington Mayor Justin Lester in a recent email.

Jackson also accuses the mayor's office of spreading rumours that he has interest in Shelly Bay, saying he's already come up with a new location for his movie museum.

In response, Lester has denied knowledge of the rumours, saying he and Jackson have a good working relationship, and that Jackson's key claims are either wrong or misinformed.


Wellington Mayor Justin Lester says he and Jackson have a good working relationship.

The email, sent on Wednesday afternoon, was addressed to Lester but was cc'd to all Wellington City councillors.

It shows Lester's office sought to arrange a meeting between Jackson, his partner Dame Fran Walsh, property developer Ian Cassels, and the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust.

The goal was to discuss the future of Shelly Bay and Mt Crawford, and how the movie couple might be involved.


New images were released on Thursday of the proposed Shelly Bay development.

Jackson once had plans for a movie museum at Shelly Bay, but these later found a more concrete footing in a joint project with Wellington City Council in the central city.

However, that $180 million project was pulled in August 2018 when Jackson's company, The Movie Museum Ltd, and the council jointly announced the "mutually-agreed parting of the ways" for the venture.

In the email on Wednesday, Jackson said he and Walsh had "long since made other plans in regards to an alternative location for a film museum". He did not elaborate.


The road to Shelly Bay is where much of the infrastructure to the proposed development would go.

Jackson also said that he and Walsh were "aware of rumours being generated that we're opposing this Shelly Bay development because 'we want the land for ourselves'."

"We have been told that one of the sources of this piece of mis-information is your office, Justin.

"Let us make it very clear that we have no plans, or desire, to build anything on Shelly Bay ... We respectfully ask that your office desists from spreading this rumour."


Shelly Bay is a former air force base in Wellington Harbour.

Long-held plans for a $500m development at Shelly Bay hit a major hurdle in late 2018 when the Court of Appeal ruled the city council wrongly applied the law when granting consent.

That meant the development - by Ian Cassels' Wellington Company working with The Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust - had to return to the resource consent process.

The development would involve 350 apartments and townhouses, hotels, a rest home, ferry terminal, marina and cable car link to Mt Crawford.

The consent is now at a "pre-application" stage and the council expects it to be re-lodged shortly.

Three independent commissioners have been approached to make a decision on the consent.

In the email, Jackson refused to take part in the meeting suggested by Lester: "Fran and I are not, and never will be, interested in associating with a team who seem determined to turn Shelly Bay into something that has been described as 'Sausalito' - but which, in reality, will invoke blocks of Soviet-era apartments dumped on Wellington's picturesque peninsula."

Something needed to be done at Shelly Bay but this should be sympathetic to the environment and in large part for public use, he said.

On Thursday afternoon, the project management company said the development would bring housing, employment and "most importantly a long overdue response to the Shelly Bay question".

It would also provide more public space "than what is currently available".

Lester said he had not heard rumours that Jackson wanted Shelly Bay land for himself, and he was not sure where they had begun.

He had sat out of voting on Shelly Bay because of a conflict of interest due to Cassels putting money towards his campaign, but this was not a legal conflict.

It was entirely appropriate to help iwi, who had failed to get a meeting with Jackson, and who had a clear interest in land around Miramar.

Lester said that facilitating a meeting about Shelly Bay and Mt Crawford was a way of encouraging discussion in order to stop issues arising in the future.

"People need to talk for projects to get underway," he said.

www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/111622659/filmmaker-sir-peter-jackson-takes-wellington-mayor-justin-lester-to-task-over-shelly-bay

[Dave Homewood]

Wellington's Miramar, including Shelly Bay, re-imagined as a national heritage park
Mandy Te and Tom Hunt
05:00, Aug 22 2020


Alternative plans for Miramar and Shelly Bay peninsula feature futuristic domes, a gondola, a sweeping entranceway, and museums.

There is a disused prison, a graffiti-covered military fort, and an Air Force base that has seen better days but a new vision for Wellington’s Miramar peninsula is being compared to England’s futuristic Eden Project.

A $500 million development has long been planned for Shelly Bay but the new vision has tentative backing from many key players who oppose the current project.

But what the alternative plan lacks is a clear way to fund the ambitious project and developer Ian Cassels, who owns the crucial Shelly Bay land and was unaware of the plans until Friday afternoon, said he could not see Wellington's version of the Eden Project happening soon.

The Motukairangi Design Group​ has released, exclusively to Stuff, its draft plans for what it has called Whātaitai National Heritage Park​.

England’s Eden Project, which this is compared to, transformed an abandoned quarry into an international visitor attraction featuring large domes housing the largest enclosed rainforest. It attracts 13 million visitors in 11 years.

The concept plans will see Shelly Bay as a gateway to the park. Visitors would enter beneath a sweeping archway. An Eden Project-like dome, filled with native flora and fauna, would be at the water’s edge.

A gondola would ferry people to the land above – site of a former prison – where there would be another dome. There would be treetop walks through native forest and an observatory.


England’s Eden Project attracted 13 million visitors in 11 years.

It would also feature a national Māori cultural and arts centre, museums, nature centre, research and education hub, cafes, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.

Motukairangi Design Group's spokesman Derek Kawiti​ said the park had a strong focus on people and being ecological.

It was about galvanising the Wellington area into something that could make an international statement, he said.


The entrance way, as envisaged, to Shelly Bay and the park above.

“We want to make it open, and we want to make it with a strong iwi feel and make it different to other places springing up all over the world ... at the heart of it, it is for everybody not just Wellingtonians [and everyone] can feel the uniqueness of the site, place and philosophy as being a distinctly New Zealand take on place and ecology.”

"Other countries have done this and so can we. Wellington has Te Papa and Zealandia because people had big ideas and worked to bring them to life. It will be the same with the Whātaitai National Heritage Park," Kawiti said.

He hoped to get numerous other iwi groups and others involved, once the plans went out on Saturday.


Motukairangi Design Group spokesman Derek Kawiti (right) and Nga Hopu ō Ngati Tama's Martha Gilbert are two of the people looking at what could be at Miramar peninsula and Shelly Bay.

There was no clear funding available but there had been early interest from potential funders, he said.

Developer Ian Cassels​, who had not seen or heard about the idea until he was contacted by Stuff on Friday, was bemused.

“I would have been a keen participant while they had this going and I would have been quite happy to talk to them and liaise,” he said.


Developer Ian Cassels only heard about the plans on Friday and says while he loves the thought of Wellington having its own Eden Project, it was not something he could see happening soon (File photo).

"I like supporting good ideas but I don’t know enough ... it's all news to me at the moment."

While he loved the thought of Wellington having its own version of the Eden Project, it was not something he could see happening soon.

The Eden Project took up a lot of land and Wellington’s record with resolving things was “lamentable”, he said.


The former Mt Crawford prison grounds are included in the ambitious plans.

If the plan had the support of Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust (PNBST) then he would be highly supportive of it, he said.

PNBST, which manages the treaty claim for Taranaki Whānui, would not comment.

Members of Taranaki Whānui, the iwi which sold land at Shelly Bay to Cassels and currently has exclusive first right to buy land above, will be sent the alternative plans on Saturday.

Kawiti hoped it would mean a groundswell of support from the iwi members, many who lost voting rights in a recent voting registration fiasco.


Shelly Bay, on Wellington's Miramar peninsula, could be a gateway to the park under the plans.

Martha Gilbert, the chairwoman of Nga Hopu ō Ngati Tama – a group of Taranaki Whānui which broke away, claims it was now going through its own treaty settlement process and said they were fighting to share the first right to buy former prison land at Mount Crawford, above Shelly Bay, along with Taranaki Whānui.

Gilbert supported the Whātaitai proposal: “This is the only opportunity we have to at least be involved and participate as Ngati Tama as an iwi.”

Mau Whenua is a Taranaki Whānui group opposed to the sale of iwi land at Shelly Bay. Spokesman Hirini Jenkins-Mepham​ said that when Taranaki Whānui took ownership of Shelly Bay about 12 years ago, a commitment was made to develop it to benefit all people.

Mau Whenua had not seen the full plans, but he knew details of the Eden Project and the Miramar plans "sound as if this is exactly inline with that promise [12 years ago]", he said.


Fort Ballance, now covered in graffiti, could be in the gun for more visitors.

Enterprise Miramar Peninsula, which opposed Cassels’ plans, spokeswoman Mary Anderson had seen the plans personally and found them “really exciting”.

The Miramar group had not seen the plans on Friday but “welcome the opportunity to explore other options”.

Wellington Mayor Andy Foster saw the plans for the first time late on Friday and afterwards told Stuff that it was a fantastic alternative vision for the area.

“Wellingtonians have an immense connection to the land and I think it's important as a whole community to have a discussion about this special part of the city. The ideas give encouragement and potential for doing just that," Foster said.

The plans would draw people in and would be internationally recognisable – it was memorable and beautiful as opposed to being “relatively functional”, he said.

www.stuff.co.nz/national/122496999/wellingtons-miramar-including-shelly-bay-reimagined-as-a-national-heritage-park

[saratoga]

Looks like some people think dope smoking is already legal...

[Dave Homewood]

Green light for Shelly Bay redevelopment after council votes 9-6 in favour
Damian George
22:13, Nov 11 2020


Wellington City councillors have agreed to sell and lease land for the $500 million Shelly Bay development on the Miramar Peninsiula. (File photo)

Wellington City councillors have given the green light to the controversial Shelly Bay redevelopment, voting 9-6 after an eight-hour-long marathon session in favour of allowing the project to proceed.

The decision is a major blow for Wellington mayor Andy Foster, who centred his election campaign last year on stopping the $500 million development on the Miramar Peninsula, and to the film mogul and local Sir Peter Jackson, who supported him.

Foster last night called the decision “sad” and “flying against the majority of Wellingtonians.” He reiterated his preference for two ongoing legal challenges to be settled before the council made a call on the land sale.


The decision is a blow for Wellington Mayor Andy Foster, who centred his election campaign on stopping the $500 million development, with support from filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson. (File photo)

It is the second time councillors have voted to sell the land. A 2017 decision in favour was put to another vote after Enterprise Miramar, a local business association, challenged a resource consent.

Wednesday night's vote followed hours of heated public submissions, during which several protesters opposing the development heckled the speakers and were kicked out for repeatedly yelling from the public gallery.

The decision means the council will sell 0.3 hectares of land and lease a further 0.6 hectares for the development, which is a joint venture between the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust, representing local iwi Taranaki Whānui, and developer Ian Cassels’ The Wellington Company.

But the vote doesn’t mean the project is completely in the clear. It is still the subject of two separate legal challenges, which could affect the final plans.

That was not enough, however, for councillors to decide against divesting its land for the project, which would dramatically transform disused Air Force land on a prime, waterfront patch of the peninsula and create 350 new homes.

Joining Foster in opposing the sale were Deputy Mayor Sarah Free and councillors Iona Pannett, Sean Rush, Malcolm Sparrow and Simon Woolf.


(From left) Catherine Love, Anaru Jenkins Mepham, and Hirini Jenkins Mepham urge Wellington City councillors not to sell the land before the crucial vote on Wednesday.

Foster told councillors shortly before the vote, and following the debate, that he was “disappointed with where some of you have landed”.

“There are not many things I’ll lose sleep over, but this has definitely been one of them,” he said.“There is a lot of passion and a lot of emotion ... and I suspect we’ll be flying against the majority of Wellingtonians with the decision I expect we’re about to make.”

But councillor Jill Day said it was imperative the council voted in favour of the sale to honour the commitment it made in 2017.


Some protesters at the meeting yelled cries of “land theft" as submitters spoke to councillors before the vote.

“Our leadership here today will demonstrate if we are a city open for business, or if we are a city that sets pathways with traps,” she said. “How will people have the confidence to do business with us?”

Courts are currently reviewing the council’s decision in 2017 to grant resource consent for the project , while a separate legal battle is ongoing between Mau Whenua and Taranaki Whānui over the sale of iwi land proposed for the development.

Mau Whenua is a group of Taranaki Whānui members opposed to the sale of iwi land at Shelly Bay.

Jamie Tuuta, a trustee for the Port Nicholson trust, said the development was a key part of the wider Miramar Peninsula, which also took in Watts Peninsula and Mt Crawford.

“We see an opportunity for Taranaki Whānui on Motu Kairangi [Miramar Peninsula] in terms of amplifying not only our cultural footprint, but also opportunities around marea development, around cultural centres, around being able to tell those layers of history in that story relating to Motu Kairangi,” he said. “Secondly, there are potential opportunities around affordable housing.”

The councillors who voted in favour of the sale were Day, Diane Calvert, Jenny Condie, Fleur Fitzsimons, Laurie Foon, Rebecca Matthews, Teri O’Neill, Tamatha Paul and Nicola Young.

www.stuff.co.nz/national/123364593/green-light-for-shelly-bay-redevelopment-after-council-votes-96-in-favour

[Dave Homewood]

$500m Shelly Bay development clears significant hurdle in High Court

www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/124573110/500m-shelly-bay-development-clears-significant-hurdle-in-high-court

[Dave Homewood]

Historic buildings and wharves in Shelly Bay to be bowled due to major safety risk
Erin Gourley
17:40, Jan 25 2023

Major safety concerns at Wellington’s Shelly Bay mean the developers will knock down historic waterfront buildings and wharves.

“There’s a strong chance it could collapse into the sea,” Earl Hope-Pearson, The Wellington Company’s development manager for Shelly Bay, said.

The demolition order, issued by the Wellington City Council on December 20, is yet another twist in the saga of the Shelly Bay development, which has been subject to delays from litigation, an occupation, penguins, and council approvals since its inception.

The developers will act soon to remove the buildings and wharves, but the buildings will be deconstructed carefully to stop asbestos from escaping, according to an email from the council.

Originally the waterfront buildings would have been refurbished as part of a commercial and retail precinct of bars and restaurants. They have been undergoing asbestos removal over the past year with that redevelopment in mind.

Council, iwi and developers all knew the buildings were unsound but believed they could be refurbished and made safe.

But the buildings were now “too far gone”, in the words of site kaitiaki Charlie Rudd, from Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust – the trust which manages Taranaki Whānui’s Treaty settlement.


Shed 8 and the Shipwright's building are among the structures at Shelly Bay headed for demolition over safety concerns.

The wharves, sawtoothed Shed 8 and the neighbouring Shipwright’s building – essentially everything on the seaward side of the road – must be demolished. The buildings and wharves were used by the Defence Force as a naval base during WWII, eventually being decommissioned in 1995.

Hope-Pearson said the engineering reports showed the buildings as “at a point of no return”, with their foundations washed away. Shed 8’s foundations are totally gone – the building is being held up by steel props.

The developers were planning to get the demolition started “very quickly”, because of the major concerns.

“It’s taken a bit to digest, but we’re upbeat, seeing this as an opportunity.”

The restoration of the historic military base would have limited the development’s options in terms of raising the buildings above sea level. Without that constraint The Wellington Company will be able to build a more future-proofed village, Hope-Pearson said.


Site kaitiaki Charlie Rudd, from Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust, which manages Taranaki Whanui’s Treaty settlement.

Rudd had seen planks of wood from the wharves washing into the sea over the past year. “There’s a definite risk,” he said.

The future of the waterfront part of the site would be subject to further conversations between iwi representatives and developers the Wellington Company.

Rudd hoped to see the military history of the site recognised. “We need to respect those past servicemen and women,” he said. The final design should reflect the communal life and vibrancy of the military history.

Hope-Pearson said the demolition would not slow down development. “It’s happening and has taken years to come to fruition, we’re full noise.” Though construction is still at early stages, parts of the development will be on the market by April.


All the buildings on the seaward side of the road will be demolished along with the wharves. (File photo)

Parts of the demolished buildings would be recycled and incorporated into the new development where possible, he said.

Liam Hodgetts, chief planning officer at the Wellington City Council, said in an email to councillors: “It was always Council’s intention that the existing buildings would be retained and remediated, however, in December 2022, Council became aware of further deterioration of the structural integrity of the Shed 8 and Shipwrights buildings at Shelly Bay.”

The wharves were “also hazardous” and needed to be demolished to allow access to the other buildings.

“Council is acting to address the risk to both people and property that the buildings bring and considers prompt demolition of both structures is required to address this risk.”


SUPPLIED
It’s back to the drawing board for the village development, envisioned here in 2019 with the planned restoration of the waterfront buildings. (File photo)

www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/131057706/historic-buildings-and-wharves-in-shelly-bay-to-be-bowled-due-to-major-safety-risk?

[skyhawkdon]

If you don't maintain old wooden buildings and structures for decades, yes they will rot... the cynical in me thinks this was someone's plan all along... they have demolished most of the buildings on the hill side too, including the more modern ones.