Next steps

  1. Form organisation

    The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust has been established to administer and provide governance for the railway development and provide for public membership and support.

    Achieved - the Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust came into existence on 16 July 2003.

  2. Feasibility study

    A feasibility study has been conducted, to determine that the scope and extent of the project is warranted and financially viable. Completed: November 2003.

    Potentially affected parties who are being consulted include:

    • Recreational users - walkers and cyclists on the Rail Trail
    • Go-cart track, rifle range and gliding clubs at Kaitoke
    • Iwi
    • Private land owners
    • Communities along the route
    • Rail heritage groups in the region

     

  3. Environmental, Resource Management, Heritage consents

    The development will require resource consents, alterations to land use designations and authority from the Historic Places Trust.

    The following agencies will be consulted:

    • Ministries of Tourism, Heritage, Regional Development
    • Department of Conservation
    • Wellington Regional Council
      • Landcare: recreation, conservation, forestry
      • Utility Services
      • Environment
    • Upper Hutt City Council
    • South Wairarapa District Council
    • New Zealand Historic Places Trust
    • Transit

  4. Fund raising

    The feasibility study will determine whether the development is financially viable, determining the extent of funding to be raised. Assistance and support in applying for grant and development funding is currently being sought.

  5. Land purchases and/or easement agreements

    The formation passes through private land at Maymorn and Kaitoke, with new earthworks required to connect with New Zealand Railways Corporation (Ontrack) at Maymorn. Progress: negotiations for a Rail Heritage Lease of a portion of the Maymorn railway yards are progressing well.

    Agreement to cross private land by easement might be possible in some areas.

    State Highway 2 realignment works at Kaitoke currently under way will pass through railway formation immediately north of the former station precinct. An authority to do this work has been issued by the Historic Places Trust. Adjustments to the new incline road are likely to be made, which will reduce the amount of work required to reinstate the railway.

  6. Project and environmental risk management plans

    The development project plan will include a heritage conservation management plan incorporating and extending the Rimutaka Incline Structures Conservation Plan undertaken for the Wellington Regional Council in 1999 by Ian Bowman. The development will also need to take into consideration and manage environmental impacts, both of the construction and operational phases.

  7. Engineering specifications and contracts

    Specifications for the development will eminate from project and environmental risk management plans. Contracts might be let for various construction phases identified below.

  8. Rail operators licence and safety system development

    Rail heritage groups in the Wellington region would leverage their experience of rail operation and administration of safety systems for the development.

  9. Construction

    Approximate sequence of steps that would occur during construction phase:

    1. Alternative walkway access
    2. Formation rectification
    3. Railway structures
    4. Subgrade and ballast
    5. Tracklaying
    6. Stations, storage, workshops and amenities

  10. Operation