OTAGO HARBOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27514, 7 October 1950, Page 8

OTAGO HARBOUR

Authority For Loan DEVELOPMENT WORKS The Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill, which has been passed by the Legislative Council, gives the Otago Harbour Board Legislative authority to raise a loan for the development works at the Port of Otago. The Bill authorises the board to raise a loan of £140,000 for the renewal of 1200 ft of the southern end of Victoria wharf, including a new concrete retaining wall at the back of the wharf. It also authorises the transfer of £37,000 from other less important works towards the cost of widening the channel at Goat Island. The section of Victoria wharf which it is proposed to renew is one of the oldest wharves in Dunedin. The original portion, 840 ft in length and 20ft wide, was built between 1883 and 1886 and in 1901-1903 it was widened to 35ft and extended northwards to a total length of 1200 ft. Between 1930 and 1935 the superstructure was strengthened and redecked to carry crane and railway loading, but the original piles, still remains. The wharf was designed to provide a low water depth alongside of 22ft to 23ft, but the berths have now been dredged to 25ft, which is the maximum depth that can with safety be provided alongside the piles of the present structure. Vessels with a draught of 25ft can now navigate the Victoria Channel, but require a minimum depth of 27ft at low water at the berths. The loading imposed on the present structure has to be carefully regulated but the new section will be so constructed to make adequate provision for travelling cranes, railway traffic and mobile cranes. The depth of water alongside the wharf will ultimately be increased to 30ft if required. Application is now to be made to the Local Government Loans Board for its sanction of the loan;, after which tenders for the necessary timber and piles will be called. This work will be the first step in a comprehensive scheme of wharf improvement in the Port of Otago. Other works in contemplation are the repair of the Cross wharf to make it serviceable for another 10 years, and the modernising of the Rattray street wharf to meet requirements for the next 20 years.* A new Export wharf at Port Chalmers, 49ft in width, with provision for four railway tracks and with a low water depth alongside of 34ft, is also planned, as well as a wharf at the entrance to the Otago dock to replace the hulk Broxton. The widening of the channel at Goat Island will materially improve conditions at the gateway to the Upper Harbour, and the ban placed by oversea shipping companies on vessels over a certain length coming to Dunedin can be modified when this work has been carried out. The contractor is at present assembling his plant ready for commencement early in the new year.