Work to transform the Whaaingaroa (Raglan) Wharf has stepped up a gear this week with the construction of the new pontoon, eastern walkway, and kayak ramp now underway.
Trucks have begun delivering several hundred tonnes of volcanic basalt paddock boulders to the eastern side of the wharf which will be used to construct a sea wall.
Once this is complete, Council contractors will pour asphalt for the eastern walkway and kayak ramp and install five piles into the water for the new pontoon.
Waikato District Council Senior Project Manager Niall McGrath says the walkway and kayak ramp are expected to be complete later this month and the new pontoon will be installed in April.
“The new pontoon is currently being built off-site, and once completed, will be delivered to the wharf in pieces and put in place by crane onto the piles.
“It’s a large pontoon so we expect it to be an exciting day, balanced with some carefully managed logistics.”
For safety reasons, pedestrian and traffic management is in place while rocks are being delivered to the site. The boat ramp will remain open at all times while this work is underway.
McGrath says a new handrail, which is being fabricated off-site, will also be installed in the coming weeks.
“During this time, sections of the wharf and the Dolphin Pier will be closed to the public while the handrail is installed. We expect this to take around three weeks to complete.”
General Manger Service Delivery Megan May says the addition of the pontoon, eastern walkway, kayak ramp and handrail will make the wharf much more accessible, safer, and overall, a more enjoyable place for the community to spend time at.
“Plans for a new pontoon have been in the pipeline for some time now, so it is great to see construction get underway. This will be such a fantastic asset for the Raglan community once it is complete.”
This work is in addition to two other projects at the wharf, including the under-wharf maintenance repairs and the western walkway.
Raglan Community Board member Dennis Amoore says it is exciting to see the next lot of works start to take shape.
“Now that the under-wharf maintenance repairs are completed, and with the recent funding received from the Government’s Better Off Fund for the western walkway, it seems like the finish line is not too far ahead of us now.”
