The Hon Minister Stuart Nash today joined Mayor Judy Turner, Councillors, Ngāti Awa leaders, and dignitaries, in celebrating the completion of the Whakatāne Town Wharf Remediation Project.
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the official opening of the newly refurbished wharf which is the first project to be completed as part of the broader Whakatāne Riverfront Revitalisation project.
Mayor Judy Turner says that “the waterfront is one of our jewels and strengthening the wharf for all users is a project Council is delighted to see completed”.
In early 2020 the District received co-investment funding from Kānoa, central government’s Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit to reinvigorate the Whakatāne Central Business District including re-establishing important connections to the riverfront. Another aspiration was to strengthen and upgrade key infrastructure supporting the development of the District’s marine and tourism economies.
The construction of the Whakatāne Town Wharf was initiated more than 100 years ago in 1919. It was extended in 1936 and 1940 and has become a much-loved town feature. However, as an integral piece of infrastructure to the overall revitalisation project, the 134m wharf needed a vital makeover to ensure it continued to be fit-for-purpose for generations to come.
Work included maintenance and strengthening which involved replacing and reinforcing piles and concrete structures underneath the wharf – around 70 cubic metres of concrete in total.
Wharf Remediation Project Manager Phil Wardale says that the Council’s procurement process was to select an experienced contractor who was prepared to employ local people and provide community outcomes as part of the delivery of the $1.6 million works contract.
“This focus resulted in the contractor employing around a dozen local workers, including welders, labourers and a safety co-ordinator who received skills development and training opportunities during their employment. It also led to at least one of the team, who had lost his previous job as a result of COVID, being taken on full time.”
The overarching contract, that was extended to include the remediation of the Ōhope Wharf, was an important boost for the region in the aftermath of the Whakaari/White Island eruption in December 2019 and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Steph O’Sullivan Whakatāne District Council Chief Executive says Council is looking forward to continuing to partner with Kānoa and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa on further programmes of work “to ensure the CBD is a vibrant prosperous place for our communities to live, work, learn and play, that reflects the town’s rich cultural and natural history.”