Devonport Wharf gets makeover

News release
Office of the Mayor

5 July 2011

Devonport Wharf gets makeover

Devonport locals are about to see significant improvements to their local wharf.

Auckland Council is refurbishing the rundown wharf in a two-stage upgrade that will see visible improvements before Rugby World Cup 2011, and significant structural and facilities improvements commencing in 2012.

“This work is long overdue,” says Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chair Chris Darby.
“This is the first significant maintenance programme for the wharf in the last 20 years, which will benefit both daily commuters and the heritage tourism potential of Devonport village.”

“Auckland Council has enabled this work to proceed swiftly, with strong collaboration between the Mayor, Auckland Transport and the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. This will bring new life to Devonport Wharf.”

“This wharf has been neglected,” says Len Brown. “Devonport locals have had to wait long enough for this, presenting this tired face to local commuters, Kiwi and overseas visitors alike. Auckland Council is stepping up to make improvements and make them now.”

“In two months, we will welcome 85,000 visitors to Auckland for RWC 2011, and we want Devonport to be able to welcome visitors to smart and tidy wharf. Ferries are an important part of Auckland’s ongoing transport mix, so it is timely for us to make sure passengers have a decent terminal to use,” says the Mayor.

Work scheduled before Rugby World Cup include replacing guttering and damaged cladding; cleaning, plaster repair and repainting internal walls and ceilings; repairing broken concrete pillar bases, new lighting and illuminated signage at the main entrance; minor refurbishments to existing toilets, and new footlights from the berth to the bus stop on the external walkway.

The wharf, which previously came under North Shore City Council, is now the responsibility of Auckland Transport. The cost of the two-stage refurbishment falls within the normal repair and maintenance budget of Auckland Transport, reprioritised for this work.

There are some minor improvements also planned for the neighbour Victoria Wharf prior to RWC 2011. Further refurbishment will be investigated at a later stage.

The Devonport Wharf refurbishment will tie in with the construction of a Marine Square arrival court linking the terminal to the village, and a spacious boardwalk to be developed between the two wharves.

Ends

Editors’ notes: The full list of works to be completed before RWC 2011:
Structural works:
Full replacement of the failed guttering
Replacement bracing of the all gutter downpipes
Replacement of the three lower level cross members
Replacement of the two upper level cross members
Some replacement of the more heavily damaged cladding

General repairs and maintenance:
Replacement of all internal broken tiles
Some internal painting to a number of the more aged walls
Painting of the central ventilation system
Internal wash down of ceiling and walls
Steam clean/deep clean of central hallway, toilet corridors and all toilets and all public areas
Minor refurbishment to the existing toilets
Painting of the toilets and toilet corridors
Plaster repair to the walls and ceiling
Windows – repair seals and cleaning

Main Entrance:
Repair to the broken concrete pillar basses
Repair to the steel pillars
New painting of the front entrance
New lighting to the front entrance
New main entrance illuminated signage

Passenger waiting hall:
Replacement of seating with the new steel models
New ceiling lights
Repainting of walls and ceiling
Reworking of the open terrace area for public access

External Walkway:
New foot lights running from the berth down to the bus stop
Repairs to any timber
Repairs to handrails and repainting of handrails
Water blasting of the timber and concrete walkway
Removal of one rail section on the beach side to make it more open to beach access and placement of a step

External walkway Victoria wharf side:
Six new bulkhead lights

Victoria Wharf :
Removal of wharf deck timber hazards
Repairs to handrails
Water blasting of the wharf steps
Antislip threads on the wharf steps
Placement of handrail on the steps
Rail section to be placed around the steps area for safety
Repainting of all the handrails on the wharf
Possible replacement of the first three wharf lights

External Building :
Painting to the external of the building
Placement of some new seating along the walkway
Placement of planters along the walkway

ENDS