Inner City Bypass approved for funding

Wellington’s inner city bypass project has today been approved for funding by the Transfund New Zealand Board.

The decision means Transit New Zealand can now proceed with the $38.9 million construction project.

Board chair Dr Jan Wright says the well-integrated transport strategies previously developed by the Wellington Regional Land Transport Committee and Wellington City Council have made it possible to assess the project against the Land Transport Management Act 2003 in a robust way.

“The Board is satisfied that the project and the process carried out by Transit pass the tests of the Act that apply to this project.”

In approving funding, the Board also noted the joint commitment of Transit New Zealand, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Wellington City Council to an integrated set of actions aimed at sustaining the improved level of transport performance in the inner city.

Transfund New Zealand is the government agency responsible for allocating funding toward an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable land transport system for New Zealand. It funds a range of land transport solutions based on funding applications received from Transit New Zealand, territorial authorities and regional councils. See our website www.transfund.govt.nz for more information.

Listed marine company, Sealegs Corporation (NZX:SLG) has announced the initial delivery of two Sealegs 5.6m SLD amphibious marine craft to the local market, with another two soon bound for overseas.

Earlier this year Sealegs had confirmed the production schedule of 12 of its 5.6m amphibious runabouts for staggered delivery over the first half of the 2004 financial year. Company CEO, David Mckee Wright today said “we are delighted to be in full production having delivered the first two boats, and are now in a position to start scaling.”

He said the initial batch of 12 boats, represent around NZ$1 million in revenues for Sealegs “and we have deliberately taken our time to ensure we deliver a high quality dependable product the company can be proud of.”

The first two craft have both been purchased by individuals for local recreational use, with the second one delivered last week to successful entrepreneur, Richard Izard in Taupo. Mr Izard, who made his fortune as the world’s No.1 manufacturer of tungsten-tipped circular steel blades, intends to use it for trout fishing around Lake Taupo.

“It is ideal for my requirements,” he says. ” We’re not far from the lake so I don’t need to worry about a trailer. I can simply drive it down to the lake edge and straight into the water. I couldn’t think of anything easier.”

Sealegs Explorer is a high performance, 5.6m amphibious runabout that can be driven in and out of the water, eliminating the need for a trailer or towing vehicle. At the touch of a button, three wheels can be lowered or raised and tucked away, just like the undercarriage of a plane.

But unlike previous amphibious forerunners, the Sealegs 5.6M SLD is first and foremost a safe, highly manoeuvrable marine craft, with no sacrifice to its water performance characteristics to accommodate its ability on land. It has a top speed, on water, of 60kms ideal for water skiing and hi-speed search and rescue work, while on land it can travel, either reverse or forward, at up to 10kms.

Sealegs has another four boats currently in production (they are frabricated in East Tamaki and assembled in Albany) two more due for delivery locally later this month and another two destined for Sydney and the USA in June. According to Mr Mckee Wright “the craft is attracting a lot of overseas interest and as a result we will attend the Sydney Boat Show at the end of July.”

Mr Izard is a great ethusiast for both the Sealegs concept and the company. “From what I’ve seen they have something that is quite unique,” he says. “I’ve got a lot of faith in what they’re doing and see a heck of a future for that type of craft.”

The Sealegs 5.6M SLD sells for $98,000.