Tidal stairs to be completed in April

Work cotinues at the Tauranga waterfront. Photo/John Borren

Tauranga's waterfront transformation is on track to be completed in April.

The tidal stairs, pier and pontoon concept would be the first stage of the project which aimed to provide the community with better access to the water.

The project has been developed in parallel with the Tauranga City Centre Spatial Framework - a visual representation of what residents wanted their public spaces, streets and waterfront to be. A big part of this was the reconnection and access to the water.

City Transformation general manager Jaine Lovell-Gadd said work was currently focused on finishing the ground foundations and the reinforced concrete for the tidal steps.

The tidal steps were all precast units which had been poured into shaped moulds at a Mount Maunganui concrete batching plant. They would be trucked to the site and set in place by a crane in the coming fortnight, she said.

The construction of the steps could now be watched via the camera feed on Tauranga City Council's website - www.tauranga.govt.nz/accesstowater.

The council was still working with two artists to finalise the design in the area.

Marcus McShane was creating a dynamic audio and lighting installation on the pier and Elliot Collins was working on an artwork integration in the precast steps themselves.

Once this was completed the work could begin on the new pier and pontoon and the surrounding landscaping, she said.

Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout said he was pleased with the progress on the construction and the interest which the community had in the work.

"It has been great to see so many people enjoying the new billboards we have put up around the construction site and learning more about the history of our very special waterfront.

"I am looking forward to seeing the new facilities open and ready for people to enjoy this coming Easter".

Construction was on track and was due for completion by early April 2017.