Ōpōtiki waterfront jetty takes shape but faces $100,000 cost blowout

All piles are in place and decking installation is expected to start soon for Ōpōtiki's new jetty extension.

However, the project is likely to face a cost blowout after more rock than anticipated had to be removed to install the piles, Ōpōtiki District Council's performance and delivery committee heard at a meeting this week.

The increased time and cost of piling work meant a $100,000 contingency fund allocated on top of the $450,000 budget would likely be required to finish the project.

The contingency is part of the Better Off Funding package from the Department of Internal Affairs in 2023.

The committee also discussed safety improvements for children playing in the water around the wharf area.

Swimmers have been known to use the boat ramp as a water entry point or "paddling pool", causing a safety hazard when boats are entering and exiting the water.

Steps were being constructed at the end of the jetty, near the swing and slide, as an alternative entry point for swimmers. 

Reno mattresses - wire cages filled with rocks - were being used to construct the steps.

Concrete slabs over the rocks were being priced, as well as future maintenance costs of these as rocks settled over time as highlighted.

There was a risk of algae making the steps slippery and the council was looking at ways to texture the concrete to solve this problem.

There were also concerns about swimmers diving under the slats on the sides of the jetty to stop logs from going underneath it.

The committee approved staff to consider rails or ladders to facilitate climbing onto the jetty from the water.

The jetty extension is being built to accommodate recreational users of the wharf area while the main wharf is in use by commercial mussel boats.