Repairs on structurally unsound wharves and sea walls at Dunedin's Steamer Basin look set to escalate the costs of developing the harbourside by more than $14 million, a hearing into the issue at the Dunedin Centre heard yesterday.
Civil and structural engineer Lou Robinson said the Fryatt St wharf was in serious disrepair, and although the Birch St wharf was better, similar problems were developing there.
The revelation, on day eight of a two-week hearing, puts doubt on plans to redevelop Fryatt St wharf sheds with restaurants, bars and tourism shops, as part of wider plans for Steamer Basin.
Commissioner Roger Tasker said it was hard to see how a developer would start a project when there were such high underlying costs.
"[And] if they remain derelict, it's not going to do a lot for the development."
Mr Robinson said the sea wall "behind both wharves is likely to collapse in due course, in the ordinary course of events, and very likely to collapse in a strong earthquake . . .
Unless the seawalls are replaced, no buildings should be sited on land immediately behind them."
A minimum requirement for the wharves would be replacement or repair of piles and deck framing, and the replacement of timber decks.
Replacement of the whole of the Fryatt St wharf would be prudent, at a cost of about $9.8 million.
The Birch St wharf would cost about $4.3 million, though the possibility of retention was high.
The sea walls should be rebuilt, at a cost of $5500 a metre, he said.
The driving force behind the proposal, Dunedin City Council chief executive Jim Harland, said last night the council knew about the issues with the structural integrity of the basin and provisions had been made to recognise the problem.
The wharf area would be split into six segments and each developer would be responsible for repairing the wharf and sea wall as part of their construction.
"It would be too expensive for one developer to take on all six segments. Each would factor the cost of repairs into their budget."
Responsibility for maintenance of the wharves and sea walls at present lies with owner Port Otago.
Chief executive Geoff Plunket agreed the facilities were in a serious state of disrepair, but said Port Otago would not pay for the repairs if the development went ahead.
It made more sense for the developers to take financial responsibility for the repairs which could be integrated into the design and any development planned for the area, he said.
However, Port Otago would not shirk responsibility.
"If no development takes place, Port Otago has a responsibility to make it safe. There is no public safety issue at this stage."
The area was fenced off.
Fryatt St wharf was built in several stages between 1870 and 1951, and Birch St wharf was replaced in 1940.
Mr Plunket said the facilities had fallen into disrepair because Port Otago had moved operations closer to the sea (at Port Chalmers) to be more accessible for larger ships.
"All the growth is in Port Chalmers. The wharves at Steamer Basin are of . . . limited commercial value."
