The father of Sandy Calkin, a young man who was tragically found deceased on Wellington’s waterfront, has expressed support for the city council’s initiative to enhance safety by installing balustrades in high-risk areas. The Environment and Infrastructure Committee is set to meet on August 7 to deliberate on the installation of edge protection measures along the Kumutoto and Queens Wharf waterfront precincts, which extend from the Maritime Police Station to Shed 6. This safety initiative comes in response to recommendations from a coronial inquest that followed Calkin’s death, which occurred in July 2021.
Calkin, who was last seen walking along the waterfront early one morning, was discovered dead a week later. Coroner Katharine Greig determined that the existing safety measures along the waterfront were insufficient, urging the implementation of permanent edge protection to prevent similar tragedies.
Roger Calkin, Sandy’s father, advocates for extending the proposed balustrades to the Te Papa Promenade. He emphasized the urgency of implementing such safety measures to avert further incidents, stating, “It’s a situation that can be fixed and it needs to be fixed.” His comments reflect a desire for the Wellington City Council to address this longstanding safety concern to ensure that no other families experience the heartbreak his has endured.
The council has indicated that a public consultation process will follow to discuss the additional precincts, with the estimated cost of extending safety measures being around $11 million. This proactive approach signals a commitment to improving public safety in Wellington’s bustling waterfront areas and is seen as a significant step towards safeguarding the community.
In light of recent discussions around pedestrian safety in various locations, including escalations in advocacy for improved infrastructure in places like Martintar, Fiji, this emphasis on community safety is gaining traction globally. Hopes are high that continued community engagement and official responsiveness to safety concerns will lead to effective solutions, thus fostering safer public spaces.
The enhancements proposed for Wellington’s waterfront are not just about infrastructure; they represent a community’s resilience and commitment to learning from past tragedies to ensure a safer future for all residents and visitors.
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