The project to build new tidal stairs, pier and pontoon at Tauranga's waterfront is truly underway.
The $2.8 million project which council hopes to open to the public by Easter 2017 includes 49 metres of tidal stairs, a new 27 metre pier and a new 24m x 3m floating pontoon.
A hydrological study of the water flows past the site has been completed by the University of Waikato.
This study shows that the tidal flow in the vicinity of the shore where the tidal stairs will be is about half the speed of walking.
At a point 30 metres out from the existing seawall (the pier is 24 metres long) the tidal flow is a maximum of 1.8km/hr for the peak incoming and outgoing flows.
Tauranga City deputy mayor Kelvin Clout says the project came about from engagement with the community.
'We were looking at our Civic Heart project, asking people what they'd like to see in the CBD, and reformation of the waterfront was among the responses.
'There's a desire for people to engage with the harbour, and put their feet in the water. Having a pier and pontoon opens up different possibilities to activate the waterfront and make the most our natural amenities.”
In regards to safety, Kelvin says council has made sure to do many tidal flow measurements, and where the stairs will be is deemed to be very low risk.
City Development Project Leader Morgan Jones says the project is integral to wider developments along the waterfront and in the rest of the CBD.
'Over the last 12 months we've been discussing with the community about what they want from the CBD. Many people talk about the rail line, and how it almost cuts us off from the waterfront.
'So the project gives people different ways of accessing the harbour, not just via the tidal stairs, but the pontoon as well. In fact, we've had tourism operators interested in using the pontoon, and there could even be a revived ferry service between Pilot Bay and the CBD.”
Elected Members approved the Access to Water project at a Council meeting on 15 December 2015, following feedback from the community, iwi and water users on the proposed concept.
The community are able to watch the construction as it happens via a camera feed at: www.tauranga.govt.nz/accesstowater.
The following safety features are being incorporated into the facilities:
- Information signs about the risks and water flows
- Navigation signs for boat movements
- Anti-slip treatment and regular maintenance and cleaning of the tidal stairs
- Handrail and rescue equipment on the pier
- Ladders from the water to the pontoon
- Clearance of 2 metres from the jump platform to the pontoon
- Lighting at night on the pier and pontoon
- Safety gate to the pontoon and jump platform similar to a swimming pool gate to restrict access for young children
- Motorised boats restricted to the outside areas only
21 comments
Rediculous
Posted on 03-11-2016 12:56 | By Hot stuff
That the council can waste this much money on a stupid project . They say we need to fence our swimming pools and then they go and put stairs down to the sea . Where the hell is there logic
Absolute fools
Posted on 03-11-2016 13:21 | By AndyCap
Let everyone remember this day when the injuries start occuring on these slimy, slippery ill conceived tidal steps. I take it our wonderful council has also budgeted for a full time lifeguard service to be in attendance at these council approved direct access water entertainment facilities that are located in the path of the strong tidal current?
Safety gate to the pontoon ?
Posted on 03-11-2016 14:08 | By Crash test dummies
So that is recognizing that there is some risk and safety concerns as a result of the location, by encouraging people to get nearer and in the known dangerous waters. madness prevails above common sense and logic on any given day.
here we go again
Posted on 03-11-2016 15:36 | By old trucker
They spent $thousands of $$$$$ there not long ago with new footpaths etc, this will BLOW OUT to $5million, there will be things they had not thought about when planning this,who will drown first, watch this space for more things signed off by CROSBY AND THE GANG.to be done,No1 Thankyou 10-4 out.
Quality comments below
Posted on 03-11-2016 16:16 | By Crash test dummies
They some up the reality of it all now dont they?
You said it!
Posted on 03-11-2016 16:36 | By Jayleen Wood
More of Tauranga's 12 year Crosby legacy? Let's see how this pans out in the long term?
$$$$$$$$ out with the tide
Posted on 03-11-2016 17:21 | By Darth Vader NZ
money spent providing a wonderful area for the public then the council in their ill informed wisdom spends more money with this next project, there will be lives lost due to the speed of the passing tide then it will be more money reversing the steps back to what was ideal in the first place ... ahhhh the Tauranga council doing what they do the best spending the rate payers money AGAIN !!!
Bunch of Whingers
Posted on 03-11-2016 17:48 | By Tauranga Local
I can't believe what I'm reading here. You must all forget that there is a "slippery" boat ramp a couple of hundred meters down plus another, further along the wooden wharf towards the restaurant. I recall the times there were 6 pontoons along that waterfront and we as kids jumped off and swam all around. Get a grip and give people some credit for having common sense. Putting steps down to the water doesn't make the waterfront dangerous all of a sudden. Stupid people are dangerous. As are some of the commentators here.
@ Tauranga Local
Posted on 03-11-2016 19:09 | By Crash test dummies
Lovely comments, I would say that the "other bloggers" have a far better handle on the truth of it than you are displaying here. Pontoons are the issue, the current is, making access easier is an issue. Why bother fencing pools when so much easer to just ... jump into the tide ...
Waste of money
Posted on 03-11-2016 20:32 | By mike j
Nice to see Tauranga council spend money on tidal stairs but they won't let residents from Matapihi connect to a main sewer line that runs straight down Matapihi road.
Wrong direction
Posted on 04-11-2016 07:19 | By Watchkeeper
Steps don't work, pontoons are limited, why not instead develop a mini yacht marina to generate income for the downtown centre and provide a focal point. I've seen numerous small waterfront towns come alive overseas just from investing in a small marina t hat expanded to include swimming and kiddies play areas.
@ Tauranga Local
Posted on 04-11-2016 07:36 | By Stella535
We are not talking about an occasional purpose specific boat ramp. We are talking about an everyday public recreational space! Similarly, the wooden wharf is also not encouraged as a designated play area for children and families as will be the case with the tidal steps. With your logic, building steps leading down to the very edge of a cliff would also not make the cliff dangerous? We all want progress and improvement in Tauranga especially in regard to public spaces and attractions, but this water play venue will be problematic. Another point what about the late night swimming and pier jumping after a big meal, drinks and long heavy night out on the town. The booze crowd are going to revel in this open invitation by TCC. Its about public safety. Yes there are a lot of stupid people out there who dont think things through!
Do it right and stop tinkering around the edges
Posted on 04-11-2016 08:35 | By babyG
Build substantial piers with a marina, cafs etc Move the Tauranga i-site there too this type of tourism hub works everywhere in the world. All the harbour boat tours, marine excursions and dolphin seafaris should then also be based here and not scattered in other marina locations. Add to this, helicopter and floatplane tours, jetski hire and other recreational boating activities such as parasailing and kayak hire, and the place would be pumping. The knock on would be immediate, and this would bring life to Tauranga as it does in almost every other town and city. If we followed through on the idea to light up the old railway bridge, even better. I can see the postcard image now. Alas, instead we will spend $ on tidal steps with $$$$$$ on the new civic heart with brand new council offices as the focal point. Council are the experts (not
Crash Test Dummies
Posted on 04-11-2016 10:00 | By Tauranga Local
It's been easy to "jump into the Tide" forever. You can do it at the waterfront of the CBD, you can do it at Pilot Bay, you can do it at Memorial Park. For goodness sake! We are a coastal region with plenty of access ways to Tauranga Harbour. How many drownings have there been in Tauranga Harbour over the past 10 years? Bugger all I would suggest. As I said earlier, there is and always has been easy access to the harbour. Just be sensible, know your limits and parents supervise their children. Oh, and try and enjoy life without being wrapped in cotton wool.
Well
Posted on 06-11-2016 18:26 | By Capt_Kaveman
You voted for them
@ Tauranga Local #2
Posted on 06-11-2016 19:24 | By Crash test dummies
Perhaps water is easy to get to in many places, but this location is a little different, with deep waters, tidal current and raw sewerage 24/7, the simple fact of making it more accessible, easier to get there and so on does not have a good look or feel about it. Look and you will see. Less danagerous places have life guards e.g. the Mount Beach.
@Tauranga Local
Posted on 07-11-2016 13:41 | By Accountable
Only the CBD waterfront has a playground and a Hairy Maclairy display within 4 meters of the water via these new steps. You cannot jump over the sloping rock wall that is in place now and the existing piers were protected by locked by gates. Even the best parents will have difficulty watching their children under these circumstances and remember it is the innocent children that will be in serious danger. The other downside to all this is that the sensible parents will take their children elsewhere to avoid this dangerous situation therefore negating the reason for this expense in the first place.Last but not least where do the Council propose to park all these people with their canoes, BBQs and children when they remove the parking from the Northern waterfront car parking area ? They can't come by bike or bus !!!!!!!!
Hot stuff
Posted on 09-11-2016 08:21 | By Kenworthlogger
Use a wee bit of common sense. This is not a backyard swimming pool is it? Therefore it does not need to be fenced. Do you expect the hole coastline of NZ to be fenced? Im sure even you could work out the answer to that one Hot stuff....
What a bunch of negative whingers!
Posted on 10-11-2016 11:15 | By TheCameltoeKid
I really can't believe some of the comments on this issue. One person claims that there's raw sewerage flowing past the site 24/7. BOLLOCKS! Go back to your dreamland and suck on your dummy! If people are stupid enough to drown themselves by going for a swim late at night after being at the pub well that's just the gene pool correcting itself. I'm with Tga. local and Kenworthlogger. We've been waiting for years for a replacement for Coronation pier and I think this is a fairly worthy replacement. I grew up there too fishing and swimming when I was a kid. It was a wonderland for us and nobody got hurt. Good grief all you cotton-wool naysayers just get a life!
@TheCameltoeKid
Posted on 10-11-2016 19:00 | By Accountable
My comments and concerns are based on the fact that the playground and the Hairy MaClairy facilities are designed for children of the younger age group who will be the most innocent and vulnerable age group of all to visit the area. I would guess that when you were making use of the area you would have been in a much older age group who were brought up in this type of environment. There is a big difference. There are very few locals who live close by now who would use this expensive facility often enough to warrant this expense by the Council which leaves us to rely on visitors who will only basically use the area on a weekend as most people work from Monday to Saturday and children go to school during that time to. These steps are a big waste of ratepayers money to do nothing.
I am not against the steps/wharf
Posted on 13-11-2016 12:42 | By Bop man
I think they will be great I am against the money being spent on it coming from the rate payers, Council should concentrate in the core responsibilities not these nice haves. These nice have continue to cause our rates to increase increases that the average rate payer can't afford. Hopefully Greg can stop the continue increases.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.