Facilities  |  23 Oct 2020

A floating pontoon may be added to the Diamond Harbour wharf to make it easier for people to get on and off the passenger ferries and other boats that call into the harbour.

“There are accessibility issues with the existing wharf which means it can be difficult for passengers embarking or disembarking from vessels,’’ says Christchurch City Council Regional Parks Manager Kay Holder.

“The steps are often under water or slippery. It is difficult to manoeuvre bikes or pushchairs and it is simply not suitable for wheelchairs.

“To make access easier and safer for everyone, we are proposing to add a floating pontoon to the south side of wharf, where there is the most protection from the wind and the tides,’’ Ms Holder says.

The decommissioned Derrick crane that currently sits on the wharf will need to be relocated in order to accommodate the new pontoon. The crane will either be moved to another position on the wharf or to a new location in Diamond Harbour.

“As well as adding a floating pontoon, we’re proposing to upgrade the existing decking, handrails and seating on the main wharf and to improve the bike shed storage. We’re also looking at how we can provide some shade on the wharf and improve the lighting,’’ Ms Holder says.

If the Council decides to proceed with its plans for upgrading the wharf, it will need to apply to Environment Canterbury for resource consent.

“Before we move to the next phase of the project, we want to get the public’s feedback on our plans. People can share their views via Have Your Say until the 11 November.

“Council staff will also be running a drop-in session at the Diamond Harbour wharf on Saturday 7 November between 8.30 and 10.30am where people can find out more about what is proposed,’’ Ms Holder says.