Multi-billion dollar government spend to restore Kaikoura coastal route

The government says it will spend between $1.4-2 billion to rebuild State Highway 1 and the rail corridor along Kaikoura’s coastal route.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says although the exact costs are still being determined, the Crown will fund the work required.

He confident the route will be restored in about a year.

In addition, he says emergency legislation passed through Parliament last week will cut through red tape, and ensure repairs to the existing route can be accelerated.

Mr Bridges says that even with an accelerated process, there is a long way to go.

“The precise work required to repair the route is still under investigation and it will be a complex job. However, the Government is confident that limited access via the coastal route can be restored in about 12 months,” he says.

An Order-in-Council is being prepared which aims to accelerate the reinstatement of SH1 north and south of Kaikoura.  

Meanwhile, the government is shelling out $5 million in an attempt to help restore Kaikoura Harbour which was damaged by last month’s quake.

This funding will ensure work can begin as soon as possible to dredge the harbour, which Acting Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says is a pivotal lifeline to the Kaikoura region.

The magnitude 7.8 quake lifted the seabed between one and two metres in some areas, which has “severely restricted access to the region by sea.”

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says a functioning and reliable harbour is critical to the economic wellbeing of the wider Kaikoura district.

“Tourism operators have only a two-hour window at high tide when they can use the harbour, while fisheries who rely on trailer-launched vessels are unable to operate at all.”

Earlier this week, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) passed the baton to private insurers to deal with the claims for the Kaikoura earthquake, by signing an agreement which sees all private insurers receive, assess and settle home and contents claims arising from the quake.  

Today’s announcement follows a raft of other government aid packages for the quake-hit region. Last Friday, Ms Joyce said the government would extend the business subsites to all businesses affected by the quake.

This follows a similar package for quake-affected Wellington businesses, as well as a $5 million primary sector support package.

Satellite images of the impact of the Kaikoura earthquake show the level of devastation. Drag the slider below: