Tauranga City Council has announced that it has appointed HEB Construction as civil works contractors for constructing the new tidal stairs, pier and pontoon at Tauranga's waterfront.
The contract awarded to HEB Construction has a value of $2.8 million.
Deliverables include 49 metres of tidal stairs, a new 27 metre pier and a new 24 by 3 metre floating pontoon.
Over the past month, Council has been negotiating the construction tender.
'These negotiations have meant working through refining and improving construction methodology and techniques,” says Tauranga City Council city transformation general manager Jaine Lovell-Gadd.
'As a result a new extended timeframe for construction has been agreed. This is supported by Downtown Tauranga and local business owners, and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council who have provided written approval to the consent condition in regards to works over this period.”
Construction will begin by the end of October.
Based on current construction timeframes, assuming no significant weather-related delays, construction would be completed and the new facilities will be open to the public by Easter 2017.
Council will now work closely with HEB during the construction phase.
People will be able to watch the construction underway via a live feed from a camera at www.tauranga.govt.nz/accesstowater. HEB Construction has extensive knowledge and experience with this type of work and has successfully completed a number of similar projects throughout New Zealand.
'We're glad to have the opportunity to work with Tauranga City Council on this new key infrastructure project,” says HEB Construction CEO Derrick Adams.
HEB Construction is also the civil works contractor on Tauranga's Marine Precinct project.
Because both projects are water edge works, both working to the same time frames, HEB Construction is able to ensure the projects are well aligned, have significant synergies and can achieve economies of scale.
'We are excited about moving into this last stage of this important project, to finally realise the city's goal to improve the connections between the city and the harbour. We are looking forward to working with HEB Construction to build the planned physical structures, and ultimately transform our waterfront,” says Tauranga City Council chief executive Garry Poole.
A public event to open the facilities is planned for Easter 2017.
More information will be provided closer to the date on this.
If people have any questions, they can call Council on 07 577 7000, email richard.conning@tauranga.govt.nz or check out the website at www.tauranga.govt.nz/accesstowater.
12 comments
No
Posted on 14-10-2016 13:45 | By Accountable
Downtown Tauranga is the organisation for the local business owners who solely pay an annual rate to have them speak on our behalf. In the last three years this has not been happening. Most caring local CBD businesses do not want these stairs into the water as it is seen as an enticement for children who will inevitably die if caught in the strong tidal flow. An absolute nightmare which will only discourage caring guardians away from the Waterfront. I wonder if Ms Lovell-Gadd is a parent as her apparent disregard for the safety of children shows a lack of understanding of the quickness of the movements of children? Maybe she thinks they move at the same pace as Council staff.
Is there a hand rail, and/or a ramp so those with disabilities
Posted on 14-10-2016 14:05 | By SML
have equal access to the water?
here we go again
Posted on 14-10-2016 14:08 | By old trucker
This will BLOW OUT to $4 million, there will be hiden costs,we do not need it, Golly Gosh,this is another thing signed off by out going Mayor, watch this space for more.No1 Thankyou.
Crass Stupidity
Posted on 14-10-2016 14:12 | By sobeit
No wonder rates are out of control. These steps will soon be covered in marine growth and be exceedingly dangerous to step on. Boats can't tie up. Will require regular maintenance at huge expense. Prediction is that they will get little use. And swimming as shown in the picture will be deemed unsafe
Idk about this
Posted on 14-10-2016 14:39 | By Linaire
I looked at this and immediately thought of families, sitting on those very expensive $2.8million tidal stairs, with their children, very close to the water. The current is very swift there. Where is the barrier, or the fence to stop children accidentally falling in? If a pool at home has to be fenced off, to protect children from accidentally falling in, why aren't these tidal stairs to be fenced?
Public liability
Posted on 14-10-2016 15:09 | By Mackka
Let's hope HEB construction has a hefty Public Liability insurance while connected to this construction.A good parent won't let their children venture anywhere near his hazard at any time.After the first 'mishap' - the ever vigilant "Work and Safety" gang will have it closed down. Best to close the thing down before the 'manure' hits the fan. I am amazed that they haven't already put the kibosh on the whole venture! It is madness!
Love it
Posted on 14-10-2016 16:44 | By jeancraven@kinect.co.nz
Great move forward for a city lacking in design.
Any injuries or deaths then......
Posted on 14-10-2016 16:55 | By ROCCO
Simply sue the contractors Council staff who recommended this thing and Elected Members who supported this time bomb personally because it will effectively in my view amount to misfeasance or even malfeasance if it is constructed.They have all adequate warnings as to the likely outcomes and they have still gone ahead and created and constructed the nuisance. RIP
Well
Posted on 14-10-2016 19:10 | By Capt_Kaveman
The city just voted for the same backwardness go figure
@ Mackka
Posted on 14-10-2016 21:31 | By Crash test dummies
No need of insurance at all, TYCC ratepayers always completely underwrite everything fully so there is no risk at all to any contractor for anything that they do and that includes a half job any day.
Looks amazing!
Posted on 16-10-2016 01:17 | By Captain Hottie
Great to see use being made of a harbour, instead of using it as a container terminal or blocking off public access altogether by putting up an ugly fence. And all you moping about kids' safety, maybe watch your kids instead of being glued to your phones? As the saying goes, watch your kids or watch them drown...fed up with other people's irresponsibility putting kibosh on everyone else's fun.
@ Captain Hottie
Posted on 18-10-2016 16:04 | By Crash test dummies
Wakey wakey, the containers are not going any where. In fact the real issues remain, the sewerage in the Harbour and the strong tidal currents along with a steep drop off into deep water means that anyone daring to use the stairs will be at serious risk. Add to that of course that afterwards, perhaps 2-3 months the construction will be covered in slime and other marine beasties so will not be easy to access it or use it, all adding to the risk to the public. The Councillors who approved this, the TCC staff recommending it have a serious case of the "crazies" to both with it all. It is certainly not a replacement for the Mount Beach and never will be.
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