Earlier this month, the Bay of Plenty Times reported the council was considering appealing the High Court decision rejecting its bid to recoup “wasted costs” from two contractors linked to the proposed Harington St Transport Hub.
An artistic render of what Panorama Towers will look like, as viewed from the future civic precinct at Hamilton St. Image / Supplied
The council went to court claiming transport hub project contract breached by contractors Harrison Grierson Holdings, which designed the structure, and Constructure Auckland Ltd, which was engaged to review the structural design.
Losses the council listed included more than $20.5m in “wasted costs” and loss of land value exceeding $5.3m.
However, it was argued in the High Court case that Harrison Grierson and Constructure Auckland’s liability limitation clauses in contracts capped how much they could be liable to pay at a fraction of the council’s claim.
Justice Kiri Tahana released her decision on March 28, stating limitation of liability clauses in the contracts did apply.
Kiri Gillespie is an assistant news director and a senior journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, specialising in local politics and city issues. She was a finalist for the Voyager Media Awards Regional Journalist of the Year in 2021.
