The council’s estimated cost to repair the bridge earlier ranged from $86-$120 million, compared with $36 million for demolition of the bridge and surrounding structures.
New rules have changed the costs and councillors will be given updated advice in the new year on options for saving the bridge.
Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty said on social media that initial suggestions show it might even be cheaper to save the bridge, with between $10-$20 million possible savings if council kept it rather than demolishing it.
Helene Ritchie, a former deputy mayor and campaigner to save the bridge, said it was great news after a failed High Court judicial review to challenge the council’s demolition plans.
She said the bridge was safe, iconic, and “unique in the world” with its special, sculptured architecture.
“This hasn’t been a fluke, this was nine months of hard work full-time, pro bono trying to educate a barrister on the vagaries of Wellington City Council,” Ritchie said to councillors in a meeting of the City Strategy and Delivery Committee this morning.
Committee chair, councillor Nureddin Abdurahman, put forward the notice of motion of revocation which was supported by a majority of councillors.
Many noted while they did not personally like the bridge, they supported saving it.
Councillor Tony Randle said the bridge was “probably the ugliest thing in the city”.
Poiwi Liz Kelly said “it is not particularly pretty, but I do think it is an icon of Wellington.”
Abdurahman said he used to think the bridge was “a bit ugly” but changed his tune after recently having his photograph taken there and liking the photo.
McNulty said it was impractical and as a father pushing a pram in the area, he avoids it.
All supported revoking the previous demolition order and keeping it.
Only Green Party Councillors Rebecca Matthews and Geordie Rogers opposed the motion, as well as iwi representatives Kelly and Holden Hohaia.
Matthews said while she is “very open” to changing her position on the bridge in the future, it is not the right time.
She said it was not right to make a decision before advice had been received on alternative options, and when details of earthquake legislation are not yet fully known.
“Circumstances have not changed, they are changing.”
Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.
