Foxton Beach wharf getting long overdue repair work, after five years of partial closure

Foxton's Caldow Builders are taking charge of the repairs on the Foxton Beach wharf.

Work has begun to fix the Foxton Beach Wharf, which has been ailing for some time.

In 2014, the old jetty at the Foxton Beach wharf had to be removed due to its derelict nature. Horowhenua District Council, utilising local contractors, came up with a low-cost temporary solution to safeguard the rest of the wharf.

Rectangular woven wire mesh baskets (known as gabion baskets) were filled with rock and put in place to create a flexible, permeable retaining wall.

However, within a couple of years the baskets had eroded away, which meant part of the wharf had to be closed to the public due to safety concerns.

Earlier this year, funding was obtained to fully repair the area, with tonnes of rock needed to strengthen the wharf and help prevent storm damage in the years to come.

Foxton-based business Caldow Builders was appointed as the main contractor of the project by the council, and began working on site this week.

Foxton Beach wharf in its current state of disrepair

Tony Parsons, HDC project manager, said part of the wharf and the carpark are closed to the public throughout the duration of the maintenance project.

The budget for this project is $350,000, which includes clearing the site; constructing a new 800-tonne rock retainer wall; completion of the Manawatū Estuary Shared Pathway; and carpark repair work.

The Foxton Community Board agreed to fund half of the cost of the project from the Foxton Beach Freeholding Account, with the other half of the costs being paid for by Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council.

One of the main users of the wharf, the Manawatu Marine Boat Club, is also taking the opportunity to fund some repair work.

Some of the rocks to be used on the repair and maintenance of the Foxton Beach wharf.

Cr Ross Brannigan said the wharf has been part of life at Foxton Beach for generations.

"It's one of the best-used and highly valued community assets in the district, so it's great that several organisations have come together to fix it."

The project is authorised by the Department of Conservation under the provisions of the Conservation Act 1987.

The council is hopeful the maintenance work will be completed by July 2021, although costs and completion time will be weather, tide, and Covid-19 dependent.

A date and time for a public opening of the repaired wharf will be advised at a later stage.