Have your say  |  18 Jan 2022

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Consultation remains open on a Christchurch City Council proposal to replace Akaroa’s 134-year-old wharf with a new structure in the same location.

Work on a replacement wharf has been underway since a structural assessment of the iconic landmark in late 2018 found it was reaching the end of its viable life and it was no longer possible or economical to keep repairing and maintaining it.

Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge says the proposal would retain the current length and width, improve structural capacity for loading and unloading and look to provide additional capacity for vessels.

An information session will be held on Wednesday 19 January in the Function Room at the Civic Offices, Hereford Street, Christchurch between 4pm and 6pm (COVID-19 restrictions permitting.)

It is proposed to raise the new wharf deck height by a minimum of 500 millimetres, to allow for sea level rise and storm surges and to ensure the longevity and all weather use of the structure.

Alternative arrangements are being looked at for commercial operations – such as fishing vessels, mussel boats, businesses located on the wharf and cruise ships – during deconstruction of the old wharf and construction of the new one.

Elements from the wharf which have been identified as having high heritage significance will be salvaged wherever possible.

Funding of $19.1M for a replacement wharf was included in the Long Term Plan 2021-31. Work on deconstructing the wharf and building the replacement is not due to start until 2024, with some repairs expected to keep it operational during this time.

Have your say on the Akaroa Wharf replacement proposal before Monday, 31 January 2022.