Maintenance on wharf to start

Work to fix the rapidly disintegrating Manawatu¯ Foxton Beach Wharf is starting next week.

The gabion basket wall, a wire box filled with stones, was installed in 2014 after the jetty was removed but had disintegrated and was no longer effective.

The wall was intended to be a temporary measure, but it was never replaced with a permanent structure, which resulted in erosion to the seawall at the southwest corner of the wharf and meant part of the wharf had to be closed to the public.

The footpath also needed replacing, and reinforcing steel was exposed. The repairs were expected to cost $350,000, and funding was secured earlier this year.

Horowhenua District Council project manager Tony Parsons said half of the work would be paid by the Foxton Beach Freeholding Account and the rest from the Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council. The Manawatu¯ Marine Boat Club used the wharf frequently and would also fund some repair work.

Local contractor Caldow Builders would complete the work and Horowhenua District Council’s Infrastructure Development Group would manage the project. They would be on-site from next week.

Up to 800 tonnes of rock would strengthen the wharf and help prevent storm damage for many years.

Parsons said part of the wharf and the car park would be closed to the public for the duration of the project, which was due to finish by July. ‘‘While there, the existing Manawatu¯ Estuary Shared Pathway will be extended by 75 metres so that it connects up to the wharf.’’

Horowhenua District councillor Ross Brannigan said the wharf had been part of life at Foxton Beach for generations.

‘‘It’s one of the best-used and highly valued community assets in the district, so it’s great that several organisations have come together to fix it.’’