Shelly Bay, Miramar, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Shelly Bay, Miramar, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The coastal road at Wellington’s Shelly Bay has reopened now that an asbestos risk from a suspicious fire in June has been cleared.
The blaze destroyed Shed 8, also known as the sawtooth building, which contained asbestos. A specialist demolition contractor was required to remove debris and decontaminate the site.
During the time the road has been closed, land at Shelly Bay earmarked for development has been sold to famous filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson and his partner Dame Fran Walsh.
The Wellington Company was behind the $500 million development, which was to feature 350 new homes and has divided local iwi.
Developer Ian Cassels said the project has been an “incredibly challenging project on multiple fronts.
“An enormous amount of work has gone into the project to date, and we’d like to express our sincere thanks to those that have supported and assisted us along the way.”
Cafe co-owner John Pennington said it has been “soul-destroying” not being able to open during the Fifa Women’s World Cup or Wellington’s unusually pleasant winter.
After the Herald revealed Pennington’s situation, Sprig + Fern Berhampore owner John Sommerfield got in touch with the couple about a pop-up offering at the pub.
“They’re an older couple and they’re battlers. They’ve battled through hospitality for 25 to 30 years, owning businesses,” Sommerfield said.
“I don’t think I could survive as long as they have if something like that [the fire] happened to me. They are genuine people and we were in a position to help, so why not help?”
The land was earmarked for a $500m housing development. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.
