“This is just basic 101 project management. You start with the
ground—what’s underneath the ground,”
says Steve Piper is a early child care centre owner, educator and fighter for Thorndon
Quay construction disruption., a frustrated business owner in Thorndon. Steve, along
with many other local business owners, is grappling with the fallout from recent
construction work that has wreaked havoc on the town’s infrastructure.
Thorndon, once a bustling community with thriving businesses, now finds itself at the
center of controversy. The construction project, intended to create new cycling paths at
the expense of existing car lanes, has unintentionally exposed and aggravated a longstanding issue: the aging water and sewage pipes buried beneath the town’s streets.
The project’s mismanagement has led to a series of pipe bursts, causing significant
damage to local businesses.
Steve Piper, who has operated his business in Thorndon for many years, is one of the
many affected by these disruptions. It’s not just about the inconveniences, he explains
that the risk of faulty pipes bursting can have an impact on businesses.
The impact of these pipe bursts is not isolated to a single incident. As Steve points out,
“As the construction progresses, it’s going to affect every business along the way. Just
last Friday, a bakery had its pipes burst right beneath its foundation. Why? Because the
old sewage and water pipes beneath the cycle paths—or even in the middle of the
roads—are so outdated that they’re ticking time bombs. When the council was asked
how long it would take for the sewage pipes to burst, they responded with ‘one more
year.’ So, if the construction continues and something breaks down, it’s likely going to
remain in that state for another year, further endangering businesses.”
The frustration among business owners is palpable. Over 2,000 signatures have been
collected on a petition calling for immediate action to address the pipe issues and
reconsider the construction approach. The petition, addressed to the city council chaired
by Tim Brown, the former Wellington Airport chairman, raises a crucial question: why is
a $58 million project being built over old pipes on Thorndon Quay, a key artery into
Wellington?
The Thorndon Collective, a group of local businesses, has been particularly vocal about
the impact of these changes. They argue that the disappearing carparks, a direct result
of the construction work, are driving customers away and slowly killing their businesses.
This isn’t just about poor planning; it feels like there’s some sort of agenda at play. The
town’s infrastructure is being neglected, and the very businesses that form the
backbone of this community are being driven to the brink.
As Thorndon’s business owners await a response from the council, the future remains
uncertain. The hope is that the authorities will recognize the gravity of the situation and
take immediate steps to rectify the damage before more businesses are forced to close
their doors for good
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