Consents to build wharves and a marine hardstand have been granted to Whanganui District Council and the community is well engaged in a conversation on dredging and reclamation to inform upcoming resource consent, as part of Te Pūwaha – Whanganui’s Port Revitalisation.
In an update to the council on Tuesday, 2 August, the port project team outlined how the repair and rebuild of 424 meters of wharves will increase the capacity for larger vessels to berth.
This is expected to bring increased revenue potential with freight, offshore working boats and fishing vessel owners who wish to make use of the Whanganui Port all showing interest.
As well as rebuilding and upgrading wharves 2 and 3 to enable commercial marine activities to safely operate, the redevelopment includes building a 3000 square meter concrete hardstand and runway suitable for a 150 tonne mobile boat hoist to enable boats weighing up to 380 tonnes to be lifted in and out of the water.
Whanganui District Council port project manager, Rosemary Fletcher , said: “With the council’s portion of work on the port redevelopment more than halfway complete, and two out of three key consents granted, our preparations to go to market and begin building the wharves are nearing completion.”
Dredging the port basin area is essential to build and maintain the port. Improved dredging capability will also enhance the local boat building and marine industry, ensuring Whanganui’s marine precinct thrives into the future.
The application for dredging consent is set to be filed in August. If it is approved in 2022, dredging is anticipated to begin in the first few months of 2023.
The tender for the contract to build the wharfs will go to market when all consents have been granted, with work anticipated to begin building the wharves set to begin towards the end of 2022.