October 28 - November 30, 2024: Issue 636

 

Paradise Beach Baths Renewal Complete - Taylor's Point Public Wharf Rebuild Underway

In May 2023 Council presented designs and drawings for the renewal of the Paradise Beach Baths and Wharf for feedback.


Features of the design included:

  • Widened tidal steps, an external ladder and tie up location on the north side and widening of the wharf deck.
  • A new internal stainless steel ladder.
  • Raising the wharf deck and pool walls to keep them above water levels in higher tides.
  • Replacing the collapsing rocky groyne with a new sandstone block groyne topped with a sand coloured concrete slab. The groyne is proposed to be reduced 2-3m in length and increased to 2m in width.
  • Maintaining the heritage aspect of the wharf and pool by providing timber decking and timber materials on the upper portion of the structure including a timber waler along the top of the pool walls.
  • Long term durability of the structure will be achieved by using steel piles surrounded by black HDPE (high density polyethylene) sleeving. Timber fender piles will be used to maintain the heritage feel at the end of the wharf.
  • New shower and foot tap.

Council sated; ''Due to its heritage listing, the footprint of the new wharf and pool will have similar proportions as the existing structure - so a like for like replacement. This will help maintain its heritage aesthetic as well as minimise any impact to the threatened species of Posidonia seagrass in the vicinity.''

Council stated the reason the design included raising the wharf deck pool walls and groyne was that the current wharf, pool and groyne were too low; 'On higher tides the entire structure is underwater presenting a boating hazard and other safety issues. The proposal is to raise the wharf deck and pool walls 600mm so they remain out of the water. The groyne is proposed to be raised 200mm.'

Construction was to be approximately three months, between June and October 2024, subject to weather conditions. 

Council stated 'The work must occur outside the seahorse breeding season. Seahorses will be relocated to a nearby location as approved by the NSW Fisheries Department.'

Council prepared a seahorse relocation plan in consultation with the Fisheries Department. Both a heritage impact study and aquatic ecology study of the works area were undertaken. These studies and plans informed a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) that was considered by Council staff prior to the works being approved. Appropriate mitigation measures outlined in the REF and Fisheries Permit will be applied during the construction phase to minimise environmental impacts.'
The Successful Tenderer was for the Contract was GPM Marine Constructions Pty Ltd and the Estimated amount payable to the contractor under the contract (excluding GST): $810 706.00

TfNSW's Boating Now Round 3 grant program 2021 provided Paradise Beach Wharf Upgrade Design ($20,655).

The Boating Now Program, under Round 3, also provided funds for Bilarong Reserve Boat Ramp Improvements, Narrabeen Lagoon ($60,000), Church Point Commuter Wharf Feasibility Study ($40,250), Currawong Wharf Investigation and Detailed Design ($82,500), and Mackerel Beach Wharf Investigation and Detailed Design ($70,657).

Consultation on a new design for Mackerel is currently underway. Visit: Mackerel Beach Wharf Upgrade Design Open for Feedback: Submissions close Sunday December 4

By July 2024 the works were underway. An October 2024 visit to the Paradise Beach shores showed the works had progressed.  

On Friday November 22 2024 another visit showed the site was deserted, the contractors gone, and the works look to be complete - ahead of schedule! 

All that was left was the falling to bits plastic barrier marking off the work site, blowing fragments of the same into the estuary waters. 

All that's missing is the restoring of the jetty name sign for visitors to the estuary.

Some pictures below.

In more great news, the replacement of the Taylor's Point Public Wharf is also at 'full steam ahead' stage. The demolition of the old rotted structure is complete and the contractors are already installing the new structure. 

A condition assessment of the wharf at the end of Taylors Point Road, off Hudson Parade, Clareville, revealed that major refurbishment is required to restore it to a good condition and comply with Australian Standards for marine infrastructure design.

As part of the process, council conducted an environmental assessment (Review of Environmental Factors - REF) to address the sensitivities surrounding the marine environment and to fulfil State Government requirements. 

Council has stated some potential impacts that were considered include:

  • loss of seagrasses including Zostera and Halophila (impacts to Posidonia seagrass would be avoided in so far as is reasonable and feasible)
  • risk of dislodgement and dispersal of the aquatic pest Caulerpa taxifolia
  • short‐term impacts to biodiversity, in particular White’s Seahorse, due to noise and localised loss of habitat and water quality impacts
  • temporary loss of access to the wharf for pedestrians and vessels during the works, this will impact access for vessels boarding or disembarking passengers at the wharf
  • temporarily fencing impacting community members who store dinghies in the rack at the end of Taylors Point Road (due to loss of access to the ramp next to the wharf)
  • short‐term impacts to water quality during the works
  • temporary loss of public access through the works area, and short‐term loss of public open space for recreational usage
  • short‐term noise and vibration impacts associated primarily with the piling works, and
  • short‐term impacts to visual amenity during the works.

Community consultation on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and detailed design ran for a period of 28 days throughout May/June 2024 and council received over 20 submissions.

Council states the feedback indicates that the community is actively engaged and invested in the future of the wharf, with a strong emphasis on enhancing functionality, ensuring environmental responsibility, and improving safety for all users. 

Of those who participated in the consultation, 90% of respondents expressed support for the proposed remedial works, highlighting the essential repairs needed for the structure. Several participants strongly recommended incorporating a floating pontoon into the wharf design.

In light of the outcomes from community engagement, council has stated it will proceed with the inclusion of a floating pontoon in the wharf design. The revised design will focus on improving safety, accessibility, and overall functionality for boat users, particularly during different tide conditions.

The initial and August 2024 revised design includes the use of FRP1 fibreglass beams, the use of PB-1 beams - Polybutene (PB-1), like polyethylene and polypropylene, is a polyolefin or saturated polymer - along with plastic decking - all going into the estuary.

The Successful Tenderer for the Taylor's Point wharf renewal was SMC Marine Pty Ltd with the estimated amount payable to the contractor under the contract (exc gst) being $768,800 ex GST.

Some progress for Taylor's Point photos below.

Earlier pre-build commencing and progress of works available in:


Paradise Beach Baths

Taylor's Point Public Wharf