Fight on to save Petone Wharf as $1.5b funnelled into water

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Save Petone Wharf told Hutt City councillors discussing the long term plan that it had a viable solution to save the wharf for $6m. From left to right; Julie Ingham, Phil Waddington, Liz Collins and Bill Allan.

A proposed rates increase of 16.9% and $1.5 billion for water infrastructure over the next 10 years feature in Hutt City’s draft long term plan, which will now go out for consultation.

On Tuesday, an extra $2.8 million was added, by Mayor Campbell Barry, to enable Wellington Water to tackle the huge backlog of leaks in the city.

There are currently 839 confirmed active leaks in Lower Hutt. In allocating more money, Barry said the council was sending a message to residents and other councils that they must all do everything possible to save water.

Barry said the council wanted to do more to fix its broken infrastructure but could not do so without central government funding.

“Elected members take no joy in proposing this level of rates increase. But what we aren’t willing to do is kick the can down the road on desperately needed investment in water and transport infrastructure. Nobody wins in the long run if we do that.

Mayor Campbell Barry said his council will need central government funding to fix the water crisis.

'Water and transport make up 83% of council’s capital investment over 10 years. We are focused on the basics,“ he said.

A new Rates Remission Policy is included in the draft LTP for public comment, which would see a rates remission of up to $250 a year for low-income households.

The new plan will take effect on July 1, after public feedback.

Petone wharf campaign

It is riddled with worms, earthquake damaged and been closed since 2020 but locals remain determined to save the Petone wharf, which faces an uncertain future after the council proposed using money set aside to repair it, to build a new library in Petone instead.

About 20 supporters of the Save Petone Wharf backed it being saved.

Save Petone Wharf chair Pam Hanna urged the Hutt City meeting adopting its long term annual plan, that there was a realistic and affordable alternative to demolition.

A cross section of the a pile from Lower Hutt's Petone Wharf. (File Pic)

The group had been working with a firm that claims to have the technology to save the derelict wharf. The firm has been licensed to use PileMedic, which had been used overseas, including wharves and other structures used by the US.

As well as being earthquake prone, the wharf is riddled with seaworms, the deck is in poor condition and some of the loose piers swing in the wind.

The Petone Wharf has been a feature of Petone since 2007.

A petition had gathered 3500 petition signatures and in a written statement former regional councillor Prue Lamason said there were many reasons why the wharf was important.

“The Petone Wharf has significant value for our local and regional communities, as well as having important heritage values … it is the second longest timber wharf in the country, after Bluff.”

As well as being a popular recreational asset, it had significant historical values. It was strongly associated with the industrial and commercial development of the Hutt Valley and it was clear locals wanted it saved, she said.

“It is one of the few places left in Wellington for people to walk far out over the water. It is an iconic regional destination.”

The group said that PileMedic is now available in New Zealand and the firm, based in Petone, was willing to do the work.

PileMedic involved wrapping damaged piles in a jacket of super laminate and filling the gap between the laminate and the existing pile with grout, Hanna said.

The group told councillors it would be both cheaper and more effective than other options, including demolition.

The Petone Wharf has been damaged by earthquakes and storms, and was closed in 2020.

Dr Roger Blakeley said it could be saved for “between $5 to $6 million and (the firm) can guarantee that it will cost no more than $6 million to bring it up to a safe strength”.

An on-going maintenance budget of $300,000 could be used to repair piers with the grout as they deteriorated.

Politicians, however, questioned how long the fix would last and noted that the original plan had been to fully refurbish the wharf.

Mayor Campbell Barry thanked the group and said the council would meet with the firm to see if the method could provide a solution.

He noted that a lot more work was required on the wharf than just fixing piers for it to be fully restored.

Petone Community Board chair Mike Fisher said there was broad support in the community for saving the wharf and he urged the council to look seriously at the new technology being promoted.