abandoned properties

PHOTO: KEVIN STENT/STUFF Taxpayers have forked out almost $200,000 to maintain a bunch of abandoned properties earmarked for demolition. (File photo)

The fate of a bunch of abandoned Wellington properties costing taxpayers thousands of dollars to maintain will soon be revealed.

The New Zealand Transport Agency bought 17 properties on Wellington Rd between 2012 and 2015 – all of which are likely to be bowled should the road be widened to join with a proposed extra Mt Victoria tunnel.

Among the properties are 13 which were soon abandoned because they were earthquake-prone – including 12 units at an empty apartment complex on the corner of Kilbirnie Cres.

In the meantime, taxpayers have forked out almost $200,000 over five years to keep up the appearances of the properties, all earmarked for demolition.

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