Fryatt St shed to be demolished

Port Otago has confirmed it will demolish the 325m-long asbestos-tainted shed in Fryatt St, Dunedin, at an estimated cost of $2million to $3million.

Port Otago is likening the shed demolition to the first step towards the proposed Steamer Basin redevelopment, in Dunedin's upper harbour.

Depending on consent applications and work programme details, demolition of the shed may not be completed for between six and 12 months, port company owner the Otago Regional Council heard yesterday.

Asbestos fibres had been found to be coming off the 50- to 60-year-old corrugated cement sheet roofing panels during rainfall in late February.

Port Otago chief executive Kevin Winders said once the shed was demolished the wharf would be ''cleansed'' and opened up for fishers.

There were no immediate plans to develop what would become a ''flat area'', but it remained part of the proposed harbourside redevelopment plan, he said.

The proposal was floated last year for an expansive redevelopment of the Steamer Basin, prepared by Damien van Brandenburg of Architecture Van Brandenburg, centred on a ''cockleshell'' cultural centre and hotel.

Port Otago chairman Dave Faulkner said the shed demolition ''should be seen as the first stage in the harbourside development''.

Port Otago would have to relocate its working vessels from the Steamer Basin, and also move its slipway, the latter was ''most likely'' to be relocated to Port Chalmers.

simon.hartley@odt.co.nz