KEY POINTS:
One of Auckland's most popular fishing wharves is in such a poor state that it could cost up to $13 million to repair or $16.4 million to replace.
North Shore City Council members were shocked when they learned the findings of a structural inspection of 80-year-old Victoria Wharf at Devonport. They had ordered the report after taking the precaution of banning vehicles driving on it since Christmas.
"The seriousness of the damage and the amount of spending required came as a surprise," said councillor Chris Darby. "It's of concern that we are looking at that much because not a dollar is provided for it in the current budget."
Councillor Dianne Hale was "pretty disappointed" to learn of the wharf's state. When the council bought it from Ports of Auckland in June 2002 for $395,000, it "clearly was not aware that its condition was so bad" and there was no budget for repairs and maintenance.
"It's an important icon and feature of the North Shore and I feel strongly we should retain it or repair it, though, of course, it's not going to come cheaply."
Ian Hunt, co-organiser of the annual Tom Tiddler children's fishing competition, said he hoped the wharf's future was not in jeopardy.
"It's a brilliant facility - about 80 per cent of the kids on the North Shore cut their teeth fishing from that wharf.
"At any time of the day or night someone has got a rod off the end of it. A lot of Asians catch squid there at night ... a lot of people use it - whether it's cruising down along there with their girlfriends, having a coffee or getting a good view of the harbour, yacht races or the big ships."
A detailed structural inspection by the GHD consultancy says the wharf is deteriorating because of corroding reinforcement metal.
About 4360sq m, or 61 per cent of the concrete surface area, was damaged - cracked, spalled/delaminated - and this included failed repairs.
The consultants recommended removal of damage and full reinstatement with protection against corrosion to give 50 years' or more use. This might cost $12.9 million.
A cheaper option at $4.2 million was repairing just the landward part and leaving the seaward part to deteriorate. People use the landward part to access the Devonport ferry wharf and it serves as a service lane for shops on the ferry wharf and is used for bicycle parking.
The council's strategy and finance committee decided to continue the ban on vehicles while options were considered. The public would get to comment on any proposal included in the next draft 2009-2019 spending plan.
* What do you think - should the wharf be repaired, replaced with a new one, or just left to decay? Email us at newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz
