CentrePort is urgently working to contain asbestos on the roof of Shed 35 – a vacant cargo store damaged in the November 14 earthquake.
Work would involve a large crane to reach the roof and spray a compound to bind the asbestos panels damaged in the earthquake.
“We have talked to WorkSafe and Wellington City Council about our plans to control asbestos on the roof, and the future of the severely damaged building,” says CentrePort chief executive Derek Nind.
Nind says the Port had talked to Heritage New Zealand about the fate of the 1915 warehouse, which is not a historic place but is a “listed heritage building” under the Wellington City District Plan.
“Shed 35 is susceptible to further damage or collapse, and it is impacting on the Bluebridge ferry operation,” says Nind.
Strait Shipping manager Ed Menzies says the company supports the process undertaken by CentrePort.
“The safety of our staff – who work in proximity to the building – is our core priority. Also, the large cordon around the building is causing delays in the movement of freight and passengers because of the single access point to and from our ferries,” says Menzies.
Wellington City Council Planning Manager Warren Ulusele says it has been a “tough but necessary call” to utilise the Resource Management Act emergency provisions in this case.
Nind says the company would continue working with stakeholders on the process, while also starting demolition of the former NZRU building damaged in the November 14 earthquake.
It is business as usual for CentrePort’s ferries, fuel, logs, cars, and cruise ship operations, while the Port explores opportunities for limited container shipping using geared ships.
