Historic water wheel reinstalled in Oamaru

The historic Phoenix Mill water wheel has finally been lifted and installed at its original site in Old Mill Road in Oamaru today.
 
It's been seven years since the project began to dismantle and restore the wheel.
 
This timelapse shows two large cranes manoeuvring the ten metre diameter wheel towards a pit, where it will sit as a visitor attraction. 
 
The area around the wheel will now be landscaped and a car park area and viewing platform also built. 
 
The project came about through the combined efforts of the Phoenix Mill Restoration Trust and Heritage New Zealand. 
 
The wheel is listed as Category 2 and was originally installed at the site of the Phoenix Flour Mill in 1878.
 
It powered the mill before the building was removed early last century.
 

Add a Comment

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air