By WAYNE THOMPSON
The resource consent and land purchase programme for the Weiti Bridge project has been shaken out of mothballs by the Rodney District Council commission.
Commissioner Grant Kirby yesterday wiped a suspension by the former council six months ago pending a stocktake on costs and consequences of the $70 million tollway project.
The review did not occur, and Mr Kirby said he was heeding appeals to lift the suspension from landowners whose properties were affected by the proposed route.
If the new council, to be elected on March 31, decided the project should not go any further, properties would be offered back to previous owners or sold on the market. He said the review of the project could not be completed until the final cost of the project, including consent condition costs, was known.
In his experience with large projects, unforeseen conditions could add up to 15 per cent to costs.
It was possible that conditions could increase the costs of the project to the stage where it might be uneconomic.
A Stillwater couple severely affected by the delays, Audrey and Bill Henden, said the commissioner had at least allowed sale negotiations to resume.
Martin Urban, of Whangaparaoa, who also wants to be able to sell property, said the decision would end his months of uncertainty.
The chairwoman of the Stillwater Residents Association, Sue Thorpe, said she was disappointed the project had not been scrapped. It could become a burden for ratepayers.
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