Last-ditch plan to save Petone wharf would cost $9m

Friday, 17 May 2024

A protest to save the Petone wharf attracted a lively crowd on Sunday.

The fight to save the Petone wharf has taken another turn, with a local firm proposing to refurbish it for $9 million.

Petone-based firm GK Shaw presented its proposal to the council on Thursday as part of the council’s draft long-term plan.

Company engineer Francis O’Riley said the wharf could be completely refurbished for $9m although that did not include the demolition of the 100-metre wharf head.

Repairing the entire wharf, including the head, would cost in the vicinity of $25m and be hard to justify, he said.

Shaw’s proposal would leave a 275m long wharf that could still be used for fishing and wharf jumping.

GK Shaw worked in the Petone Wharf in 2021 and believe it can be refurbished for $9m. That figure does not include the cost of demolishing or repairing the wharf head.

A Hutt City Council proposal to demolish it for $6m has met with stern opposition and a petition signed by more than 6000 people, which was presented to the council on Thursday. The petitioners back a firm promoting a solution called Pile Medic to repile the wharf for $6m.

Simon Hurley was one of many signatories to the petition who argued it was more than just an old wharf.

“It is a major landmark and draw card for Petone, which is well used by locals and visitors alike and without it Petone is just another beach.”

The GK Shaw price was based on previous work it had done on the wharf, which mapped all the piles and their condition.

Organiser Prue Lamason rallies the protesters wanting to save the Petone wharf at a protest earlier this month.

Earlier in the meeting, Roger Blakely of Save the Petone Wharf said Rockbond, the firm promoting Pile Medic, had given a guarantee it could repair the entire wharf for less than $6m.

Mayor Campbell Barry queried the claim of a guarantee and said that it would be highly unusual.

Over time, many of the piles have been attacked by worms.

Prior to the meeting, petition organiser Prue Lamason said it was clear that the wharf had widespread public support.

“The support has been amazing, just amazing. People want the wharf to stay.”

Deputy mayor and local councillor Tui Lewis agreed the wharf is hugely popular and she remains “hopeful” that it can be saved.

Many of the piles replaced in 2021, were in poor condition.

“It has a huge history and there is bugger all history in the Hutt Valley.”

Spending $6m to demolish a wharf had never made much sense to her.

Both Lamason and Lewis believe demolition would cost a lot more than $6m, with Lewis predicting it would end up in the Environment Court.

O’Riley said GK Shaw had been refurbishing wharves in Wellington Harbour for more than 30 years. It had worked on a number of wharves, including Rona Bay, Seatoun and Petone in 2021.

GK Shaw worked in the Petone Wharf in 2021. Manager Francis O’Riley says the wharf looks in bad condition but a lot of it is wear and tear and he is confident it can be refurbished.

The previous work it had done on the Petone wharf, gave it the information it needed to produce a detailed plan and cost estimate.

Demolishing the wharf head would reduce its length by 30% and there are about 20 “critical” piles that need to be repaired as soon as possible.

“Once the remaining critical piles are repaired, we believe the structure is currently quite safe for pedestrian loading in the short term until the refurbishment work is complete.”

He proposed staging the work over a number of years, with the work being done during winter. That would allow the wharf to be open during summer.