Shag viewing area proposed at wharf
BUILDING a viewing area on Sumpter Wharf for the growing number of visitors to Oamaru who stop for a look at one of the largest colonies of Otago shags was one of four projects to receive the goahead at the Waitaki District Council’s harbour area committee meeting on Tuesday.
The committee recommended nearly $80,000 worth of council work in the Heritage New Zealand historic area at its first meeting since May last year. Adding ‘‘globe lights’’ at the Esplanade along Oamaru Harbour, revamping the entrance to Holmes Wharf and relocating a hut and flagpole from near the slipway were also approved by the committee.
Council assets group manager Neil Jorgensen said Sumpter Wharf, more than 130 years old, was becoming an increasingly popular stopping point and the $35,000 budget for the project to reclaim the first several metres of the wharf as a viewing platform could be added to the $900,000 redecking project for nearby Holmes Wharf.
After the wharf was closed in 2011, Otago and spotted shags began to nest or roost there.
Late last year, retired Dunedinbased marine scientist Dr Chris Lalas said, if left alone, Oamaru’s Otago shag colony, established more than 50 years after the former northernmost colony of Otago shags, would become the largest colony of Otago’s endemic seabird.
Cr Jan Wheeler, who is not on the committee but was at the meeting, said she feared the viewing area could lead to disturbance for the seabirds and said she would prefer a proposed $8000 option for more viewingfriendly fencing installed in place of the deer fencing now in place.
Another project to find favour with the committee was $20,000 for the installation of solarpowered globe lighting on the 25 unused concrete poles along the Esplanade.
Removing the fencing at the entrance to Holmes Wharf in favour of Oamaru stone blocks and signage for $1500 and $20,000 to move the flagpole and hut to the west of the club rooms for the North Otago Yacht and Power Boat Club also approved by the committee.