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 12 months, 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.
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 Cog Park Wharf, also known as the Flying Boat Jetty. The demolition of the Patent Slip Jetty and the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour slipway will proceed as planned, due to their poor condition and the cost of rebuilding.
Sadly, time and the elements have had their way the Patent Slip Jetty, which has now decayed beyond the point of repair. However, as part of the demolition and resource consent we will keep and rebuild the two bays of the Jetty, about 15 metres (it is currently 100 metres long) and will be adding signage and interpretation to keep the history alive for future generations to come.
Demolition and part rebuild will begin in early 2023.
Clyde Quay Boat Harbour pontoon renewals
The pontoons were built by the US Marines when they were stationed here in WWII. They are well beyond being fit for purpose and need to be renewed.
Work started on renewing the four timber structures in November 2022 and is expected to be completed in mid-2023.
Due to the heritage nature of the structures, we will see whether any of the existing timber can be reused.
We also have resource consent to extend the structures, which will result in them being twice the size. Therefore, increasing the size of usable open space and reducing the slippery concrete ramp.