Reclamation plans for Lyttelton

Press, 25 October 1982, Page 9

Reclamation plans for Lyttelton

Lyttelton Harbour Board engineers have drawn up plans for a multi-million dollar reclamation scheme in the port's inner harbour. The plan, shown above, would, in its first stage, see a 4ha area of the harbour reclaimed to provide an extra heavy-duty berth. The new berth would be between Gladstone Pier and No. 1 breastwork, next to the No. 2 berth. Work could start on the reclamation by next June, and would take at least seven years to complete.

The reclamation would create extra flat land near the port’s present wharves, said the board's chairman. Captain. A. R. Champion. The plan will be discussed

at the next full meeting of the board. Before any work can start, the plans must also be approved by the Marine Division of the Ministry of Transport. and the Ports Authority. which must give permission for large harbour developments. The board has already applied to the Lyttelton Borough Council for permission to use Battery Point, about Ikm from the harbour, as a quarry. Up to a million cubic metres of fill will be needed for the reclamation. The council, which has had no objection to the quarrying plan, has reserved its decision.

If the plans are approved Harbour Board employees

will do most of the work.

As part of the board's harbour development plan, the reclamation will not only create a new berth but also give a back-up area to store goods from other wharves. Engineers are also preparing a report on the viability of improving Cashin Quay No. 2, bringing it to a standard which would allow "high axle" vehicles to work there. This work would cost about $2.7 million, and, if approved, could be finished in two years.

After the bulk berth at No 2. East has been improved, repair work will start on No 7.

The rail wharf, No 3. will also be kept up to a high standard.