HARBOUR AT HUTT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 42, 13 November 1940, Page 9

HARBOUR AT HUTT

Diversion Of River Near

Mouth

TOWN PLANN ER'S PROPOSAL

The most, important and far-reach-ing proposal of Hie Unit Valley Development Scheme is considered by the Government Town Planning Officer. Mr. .1. W. Mawson, to be diversion ol the Hutt River and establishment of harbour facilities in the present river estuary. He says Hint, it presents no difficulties from an engineering point of view, aud is almost a sine qua mm to the full development, of the reclaimed areas adjoining it for heavy industrial purposes. The lay-out proposed in the report. Mr. Mawson states, hns been designed in collaboration with the harbour board, railways, public works and river board engineers. This does not commit, the Government or the local bodies, though all of them are vitally concerned with the economic development, of the reclaimed areas. The harbour development, plan proposes that the river shall be swung, to I lie west on a wide arc commencing about half a mile north of the present pipe bridge, shortening the run from that point to the sea by many chains and leaving Hie present river mouth completely cut off from river flow and separated from Hie new mouth by a reclamation of some hundreds of -acres. 'l'his reclamation would fill part of the course from which the river would be diverted, doing away with the present pipe bridge, which already is inadequate for the traffic it lias to cartv. ’Plie extension of Adelaide Street, on Hie Petone foreshore, would give direct approach to Hie new Waione Street bridge, so taking traffic out of .lackson Street. In addition to the reclamation of some hundreds of acres west of the present river mouth, it is proposed that Hie public works reclamation south-west of Sea view Road (on the eastern side of the river) shall be considerably extended, and that both eastern and western rec-la mat ions shall be served by a system of railway sidings. The report slates that Hie diversion of tile river could be carried out without interfering with private property and improvements, other than the city corporation’s pumping plant at the Gear Island artesian wells. It would not only improve Hie gradient, of Hie river and minimize tlx- risk of Hoods, bill would provide an almost, readymade harbour in the present river. '1 he dredging of Hie turning basin and channel would provide sufficient spoil Io reclaim 130 acres, and the work could, probably bo completed within two years and a half from Hie completion of the river diversion. . „ "So far as the present, proposals go. states the report. "3600 feet of berthage witli 25 feet depth of water would be provided, but the industrial firms already established in the valley are unanimously of the opinion that berthage should be provided for overseas vessels.”

The proposal is. Mr. Mawson comments. for the future, for development if and when such facilities could be economically justified, having regard to a number of important considerations: —• _ . , ■That berthage facilities adjoining the proposed industrial areas, would result in the establishment of industries which might otherwise go elsewhere. q’he added cost of sea transport ot raw materials and finished products, via Wellington. fi'ho limited capacity of road trans-, port between the valley and the city and the congestion, with its economic loss, which must result from the increasing burden of heavy traffic as industry develops in the valley. There is, Mr. 'Mawson states, a potential increase of 500 per cent, in the numbet of industrial workers in Hie valley.