Sketch of the new shared pedestrian and cycle bridge - proposed to connect central Lower Hutt to a relocated Melling station and the proposed new Melling bridge. (Indicative design / Artist’s impression)

Making our Hutt City more resilient, connected and vibrant

Haere mai, welcome to RiverLink Community Update – a catch up with the community about RiverLink: projects to deliver flood protection, urban development and Melling transport improvements.

RiverLink is a partnership between Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency working together with Mana Whenua partners, Ngāti toa Rangatira and Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika (Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust).

Social Pinpoint: what you told us – what you asked

Thanks to everyone that came along to our two open days and to those who also contributed by having your say about RiverLink on Social Pinpoint – an online engagement tool. We ran this engagement in November 2020 and February 2021, and we asked you what you thought about the proposed RiverLink design.

Here are some of the main questions we received that will help inform the plans we’ll use to apply for resource consent.

Here’s a snapshot of community feedback received via social pinpoint.

Your top priorities are:

•  A walkable, pedestrian-friendly central city with good public transport

•  A healthy river that supports recreation and wildlife

•  A thriving inner city that’s a great place to live and work.

What’s next - getting consent

A few people asked the question, ‘Why don’t you just get on with it?’ And fair enough too. But there’s a process we have to follow which involves applying for resource consent (permission to do what we’ve planned). 

Building on feedback received, we’re continuing to refine the planning application designs and plans for RiverLink:

•  the cycle path layout

•  anticipated methods of construction

•  plans for managing car parking and the market during construction. 

These plans and designs will form the basis of our Resource Management Act consent and designation application - due to be lodged this year. We’re currently preparing the assessment of environmental effects required in support of the application.

Once the RiverLink application is lodged with the regulator, a copy of the application and supporting information will be available on the RiverLink website.

Keeping you in the loop

As soon as we know what the decision is we’ll let everyone know. In the meantime we’ll keep updating you about what else is going on, including answering your queries and comments about RiverLink. See details below for how to get in touch.

Did you know…

The term ‘groyne’ was first used in the 1580s for referring to a ‘strong, low sea wall’. Possibly something to do with the old French word for a pig’s snout (groin) because the wall looked like one

A sturdy barrier
The wall/groyne acts as a sturdy barrier in the water (river or sea) near a bank (or beach). It can be made of rock or concrete.

Groynes act by pushing water away from the bank edge to help prevent erosion and trap silt, which in turn helps build up eroded areas and helps to avoid flooding.

Below right: Image of a Charles Street groyne.
Below left: Image of a rock groyne at Manor Park.

A new website

We have a new website and we’re updating it with a lot more content. The RiverLink website that’s currently available is just the start. We’ll continue updating community questions on www.riverlink.co.nz

More information

For more information on the RiverLink project visit our website www.riverlink.co.nz or send our team an email at riverlink@gw.govt.nz