The final pieces of the Portobello jetty were put in place yesterday, leaving Otago Peninsula Community board member John Bellamy "over the moon".
A pontoon jetty was floated from Fryatt St to Portobello about three weeks ago, and yesterday a crane was used to place a walkway to the jetty, linking it to land.
Requests for an upgrade started when Shem Sutherland, the owner of historic ferry Elsie Evans, proposed using his vessel to begin a ferry service from the jetty.
In 2007, the council voted to support the project.
The $382,000 project was jointly funded by the Dunedin City Council and community group Portobello Inc.
Council parks manager Lisa Wheeler said yesterday there was still some minor work to be done before the jetty could be opened to the public, about the end of the month.
Mr Bellamy said he was "absolutely over the moon" the jetty had been opened.
"It's a great accomplishment for the people of Portobello." The jetty would be a community facility, and he said he expected it would soon be busy with locals fishing from it, but it would also open the way for connecting Portobello and Port Chalmers.
Portobello Inc chairwoman Christine Neill said she was "absolutely thrilled" about the completion of the jetty, and paid tribute to member Luke McClelland, who had worked hard to raise funds.
Ms Wheeler said an official opening was being planned.
