We are upgrading the coastal wharves in the central city and Eastern suburbs, as well as structures at Clyde Quay Boat Harbour. This will help to ensure the structures are safe and can be used by the community for years to come.
About the upgrades
The purpose of the upgrades is to ensure the wharves and boat harbour are maintained in structurally sound condition, and those structures beyond repair be demolished.
Additionally, the upgrades are important for contingency planning. In the event of an emergency, the wharves will allow continued access to the central city and Eastern suburbs, even if roads are closed.
Work started on the upgrades in late 2019 and will continue over the next few years.
The upgrades have been funded in the Annual Plan budget of 2019/2020 and are part of a 10-year investment strategy, to ensure coastal structures are maintained appropriately.
We are working closely with key stakeholders, including:
- our treaty partners
- heritage New Zealand
- Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Background
In 2017, the Council commissioned a detailed condition assessment report on coastal assets, which included engineering and diving surveys. The report identified various structures that required immediate intervention to retain their structural integrity.
In light of the report’s findings, we committed to an upgrade of the coastal wharves in the Eastern suburbs.
Some of the wharves are identified heritage structures or have links to interesting historical events in Wellington Harbour. This means any repairs will need to use identical materials and structures to the original, replacing ‘like with like’ where possible. We are working closely with Heritage New Zealand on this.
Over the last three years, we have been working with external technical services to carry out a series of reports to support planning the repairs.
What's being done
Queens Wharf and Police Wharf – Completed
The upgrade included strengthening of around 50 piles and replacing fendering. Work was completed in late 2020.
Repairing Seatoun Wharf – Completed
Work on the wharf began in July 2021 and it was reopened in October 2022.
Repair work included:
- strengthening the four eastern most piles on the wharf head, using steel embedded into the seabed - replacing all decking timber with new hardwood planking
- new bracing on the outer wharf section to provide loading capability for boats, and to resist waves
- new energy absorbing fenders on the outer landing, to replace the existing tyres
- replacing all cross bearers and most deck joists with new hardwood
- installing new ladders and a life ring.
Karaka Bay Wharf
Work to renew Karaka Bay Jetty started in September 2022 and was completed in December 2022.
Works include:
- repairing the two outer piles with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) jackets
- replacing all timber joists
- resurfacing all the decking.
The Flying Boat Jetty (aka Cog Wharf), the Patent Slip Jetty and the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour slipway
These structures were to be demolished, however in discussions with heritage advisors it was seen as more appropriate to repair and retain the Flying Boat Jetty. The demolition of the Patent Slip Jetty and the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour slipway have now been completed. These were removed because of their poor condition and the cost of rebuilding.
Sadly, due to time and the elements the Patent Slip Jetty was decayed beyond the point of repair. However, as part of the demolition and resource consent we have rebuilt the two bays of the jetty, about 15 metres (it was about 100 metres long). We are adding signage and interpretation to this area to keep the history alive for future generations to come.
The Flying Boat Jetty is planned to be renewed in 2024 and will also include signage and interpretation.
The Flying Boat Jetty project has been made possible thanks to a generous donation from Sally and Brian Hasell. This donation will go towards the jetty renewal, interpretative signage and landscaping of the Patent Slipway.
Clyde Quay Boat Harbour pontoon renewals
The pontoons were built by the US Marines when they were stationed here in WWII. They were well beyond being fit for purpose and have now been replaced with larger decking making it a great area to relax and enjoy the iconic and heritage boat harbour. The size of the useable space has doubled, and we have eliminated parts of the slippery boat ramp, which remain serviceable for launching tenants dinghies.
Work to complete the four new timber structures was completed in November 2023.