Wharf job bigger than expected

Photo by David Bruce.
Photo by David Bruce.
Geoff Bracefield prepares decking to replace damaged or rotten sections on Holmes Wharf at Oamaru Harbour, a project that has turned out to be bigger than expected.

It could cost the Waitaki District Council a lot more than was originally estimated.

In 2011, repair work started on the worst areas of the decking and the council set aside about $200,000.

But, as work has gone on, the state of the decking has turned out to be worse than first thought.

About 25% of the decking has been renewed since Fulton Hogan started work in February.

The council's assets group manager, Neil Jorgensen, said a project would have to be included in next year's long term plan (budget and rates) to carry on the work.

He estimated between $800,000 and $1 million could be needed.

That could be funded by a loan spread over 20 years, which would cost ratepayers between $70,000 and $80,000 a year in interest and repayments.

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