New wharf a popular project

By Rob Pooley

The new wharf project has fired up a wide public interest not only through the editorial in the last issue of the Focus but with the open displays and information at the New Year Gala where the stand fuelled interest and team members fielded questions from a constant flow of visitors.

Interest in the project generally was high especially in the prospect of the historic wharf being rebuilt. Visitors were able to view the plans and also renditions of the wharf in-situ from a number of perspectives around the harbour.

Those who visited the stand were asked to share with the project team how they felt about the wharf – whether they supported it or not – and also to share any suggestions or concerns they had about about the project. This was done by visitors to the stand writing their thoughts on a post-it note and placing it on a white board.

Feedback was just over 97 per cent in support of the project. Of the 153 views expressed 149 were positive and four were negative. Those who were in support felt the wharf would be an excellent addition to the community’s recreational facilities. Those who were against the wharf cited environmental reasons including concerns over the fairy tern habitat.

The most mentioned concerns and suggestions related to adequate parking and ensuring the channel around the wharf was navigable across all tides. Other mentions included fundraising ideas, channel marking, boat speed controls, mangrove removal, and design suggestions for the wharf itself.

In addition visitors to the stand were invited to become friends of the Mangawhai Historic Wharf by registering their contact details. Approximately 100 people opted to do so. They will be kept up with the play on the project via email.

“The feedback from the community is very much appreciated by the wharf project team as it is an important element in assessing the feasibility of the project,” said spokesman Colin Leach.

The feedback from the gala day will be combined with the feedback from the second public day, which will be held at the Museum on the January 28, the Sunday of Auckland Anniversary weekend.

Circa 1918, Mangawhai wharf was 330 ft long and 10 ft wide. The iconic Mangawhai tavern stands proudly in the background.