Have your say on Tairua Wharf and Boat Ramp improvements
We're working on improving the Mary Beach wharf and boat ramp in Tairua and we want your feedback.
The project seeks to improve trailer boat launching facilities for Tairua as well as cater for larger recreational
boats, commercial fishing and charter operators and help further economic development in Tairua now and into the future.
The wharf was originally built in the 1860s and rebuilt four times, most recently in 1963.
A variety of options over the years have been considered to replace or upgrade the wharf, but rejected as too expensive.
It now has about 3-6 more years before significant maintenance is needed to ensure the structure meets health and safety
requirements.
A key user group has been established to work through the issues and opportunities around the existing wharf and boat
ramp and have come up with a draft concept plan that we would like your feedback on.
"We understand and appreciate a lot of historical work already been done on the Boat Ramp and Wharf," says
Tairua-Pauanui Community Board Chair Bob Renton. "There is budget in our Long Term Plan assured to the project so we
need to get it off the ground. It’s now up to the community and ratepayers to make decisions for today," says Mr Renton.
Given the age of the wharf, as well as limited engineering information and associated unknown risks this raised, a
rebuild was considered the most appropriate option. Both concrete and timber construction options for the wharf were
considered, but the concrete option was considered too expensive.
We would like to rebuild the wharf in the same location, in wood and to make it wider (4m) so that vehicles can drive on
to load boats.
As part of this wharf re-build, improved facilities for fishing and pedestrian access to the ferry are essential.
The new wharf pontoon will provide additional loading space for the ferry and mitigate potential tidal effects as well
as providing more manoeuvring room for boats between the existing wharf pontoon and boat ramp.
The existing boat ramp will be widened and extended to improve launching at low tide. An additional two new 30-metre
floating pontoons are proposed.
Adequate trailer boat parking during the busy summer period is a key consideration of this project.
As with most other wharf and boating infrastructure across the Coromandel, once the rebuild is completed it has been
signalled that recreational boat launching/trailer parking fees will be introduced in Tairua to cover on-going
maintenance costs.
Further detail on this will be available next year. We would like your input and comments.
Tell us what you think
We would like you to submit your comments to this proposal by 6 November 2015. An open day will be held Saturday 24
October from 9am-12pm at the Tairua Library. The proposal and supporting information can be viewed at the Tairua Library
from 2 October and on our website atwww.tcdc.govt.nz/tairuawharf
Submission forms can be downloaded here or picked up at the Tairua library or by e-mailinglorna.price@tcdc.govt.nz for a copy. You can make your submission at the Tairua library or by e-mail to lorna.price@tcdc.govt.nz or by mailing TCDC at private bag Thames.
The Working Group
Donna Brooke (Tairua-Pauanui Community Board), Warren Maher (Tairua-Pauanui Sports Fishing Club), Chris New
(Tairua-Pauanui Sports Fishing Club), Rob Glasgow (Tairua-Pauanui Ferry Operator) John/Margaret Norman (Coromandel
Fisherman), Jim Hope (Charter Boat Operator), Roy Veil (Charter Boat Operator), Graham Empson (Community Member).