East Coast Recovery Alliance work to get under way early next year

Celebrating the official beginning of the East Coast Recovery Alliance which will be responsible for the design and delivery of physical works on the state highway and rail networks of Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay over the coming years are, back (from left): Downer general manager Lyall Hedges, Fletcher Construction chief executive Phill Boylen, Troy Wheeler of Troy Wheeler Construction and Inline group operations manager Nick Bevitt. Front: Stirling Logging owner Gavin Edmonds, Fulton Hogan chief executive officer Ben Hayward, Cyclone Recovery and Finance Minister Grant Robertson, director of Harrison Bulk Haulage Julie Harrison and Stirling Logging owner Chrystal Edmonds. Picture by Liam Clayton

'Coast first' philosophy key to alliance between Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail and contractors

Cyclone Recovery Minister Grant Robertson says the public can expect to see the East Coast Recovery Alliance rebuild and recovery work programme under way early next year with contractors targeting the storm-ravaged transport networks of Tairāwhiti and Gisborne.

He was in Gisborne yesterday to officially sign the East Coast Recovery Alliance agreement which places an emphasis on employing local staff.

The Alliance is a collaboration between Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail, Fulton Hogan, and the existing maintenance contractors for the two regions; Downer and Higgins and will lead the design and delivery of physical works on the state highway and rail networks over the coming years.

The Government increased the National Land Transport Fund by $250 million to cover the cost of emergency repairs after Cyclone Gabrielle and earmarked a further $275 million for this work in Budget 2023.

Following yesterday’s signing, Mr Robertson told the media more funding would be made available.

He said the Alliance could only complete the scale of the recovery and rebuild by working together. Otherwise companies would bid against each other, push prices up, stretch capacity and ultimately not serve the public’s needs.

The Alliance model had worked after the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes and would work in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay.

The rebuild needed planning, modelling and designing before the mahi started in a co-ordinated way early next year.

Mr Robertson said on-leave local MP and cabinet minister Kiri Allan had spoken to him frequently about the Alliance.

She advocated an East Coast first philosophy where local contractors “would get a first and fair go”.

“It underpins the Alliance.”

Where there was an opportunity, locals would get the work.

Mr Robertson acknowledged Waka Kotahi, Kiwi Rail, Fulton Hogan, Higgins and other contractors who would make the long-term rebuild work. He later met contracting staff to acknowledge their efforts.

It must have been frustrating to have to return to former work sites to do temporary repairs because of continuous bad weather, he said.

Mr Robertson said the future of the Gisborne to Wairoa rail line required an “ongoing conversation” with KiwiRail who would prioritise their existing lines.

The Government “faced some big picture decisions which were on the books to be made  . . . and not made”.

Waka Kotahi acting group general manager transport services Robyn Elston said a lot of work had gone into setting the Alliance up for success.

One of the key aspects was “the East Coast first” philosophy.

“The East Coast has a strong pool of hard-working, skilled and experienced contractors, consultants, and businesses who understand both road building and the East Coast whenua.

“Locally owned-and-operated contractors will be prioritised when it comes to delivery of the physical works. There are considerable opportunities for these businesses and the East Coast first approach gives them the confidence to invest in their people, their machinery and their region.”

“Today’s signing is a considerable milestone but there is still lots of work ahead to ensure the state highway network reflects current and future needs and aspirations for connections across the East Coast.”

KiwiRail programme director Daniel Headifen said: “KiwiRail is committed to working with its Alliance partners to deliver a resilient recovery and rebuild effort for the people of the Hawke’s Bay region.

“Since shortly after the cyclone hit, KiwiRail teams and our contractors have been out on the ground working to repair, reinstate and reopen key rail lines across the region.The formation of this Alliance is another key step in that process.

“We are already using local sub-contractors, where we can, and are committed to continuing that effort as the rebuild progresses.”