New ferry wharf for Half Moon Bay

A new Half Moon Bay ferry wharf will provide passengers more shelter and improved access to buses.

Plans for the new facility, which Howick Local Board and Auckland Transport are working together on, are being shared with the public. It will be similar in design to the Hobsonville Point Wharf.

Ferry services are expected to begin from the upgraded facility in late 2016. About 1500 passengers a day use the current facility.

The $4.3 million project includes a proposed covered pontoon and wharf at the end of Ara-Tai, south of the existing passenger ferry pontoon. Also proposed, subject to funding, is improved and safer access to buses, with sheltered stops in the same location.

Howick Local Board Chair David Collings says the board is happy to see progress after ferry users have waited a long time for improvements in unsatisfactory conditions.

“This will deliver a facility that’s going to protect them from the weather but will also be of a very high quality.

“A quality Half Moon Bay ferry facility is one of the board’s top priorities. We’ve been very prudent with our allocation of Auckland Transport’s Capital Fund for local boards and saved it so we can now direct up to $2.5 million to help make the project happen.

“As they say, ‘we’ve been saving for a rainy day’, so we can now make sure Half Moon Bay ferry passengers can be sheltered on rainy days.”

Auckland Transport Project Director Nick Seymour says the new wharf will have much better shelter for passengers with the walkway and pontoon boarding area both covered.

“It will also be more accessible for people who are mobility impaired and provide improved safety for people getting on and off ferries.

“The new facility will be purpose-built for passengers, providing a transport hub with bus and ferry services located together.

“People can find out more about the proposed design and give feedback at two public information days or by going to Auckland Transport’s website. There will also be information at the existing ferry wharf,” Mr Seymour says.

Public information days
Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2015

Date: Saturday, 9 May 2015
Time: 4 pm to 7 pm
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Venue: Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Ara-Tai, Half Moon Bay

Work is underway, with the new ferry pontoon and gangway being manufactured off-site. Construction at Half Moon Bay is expected to begin in early 2016, subject to consents, with the fixed walkway to the location of the proposed pontoon built, then the pre-manufactured pontoon and gangway floated in.

Features and benefits of the proposed facility include
· New ferry pontoon will be designed to provide enhanced levels of passenger service and comfort
· Better protection against the elements, with the canopy providing shelter from the prevailing wind and rain
· Improved safety getting on and off ferries
· More accessible for people who are mobility impaired
· The wharf structure will incorporate elements reflecting the history of the area, including items which make reference to local Mana Whenua values
· Separation of passenger ferry movements from leisure boat movements, improving sea traffic flows.

Visit the Half Moon Bay ferry facility webpage for more information and to fill in the online feedback form at: at.govt.nz/halfmoonbayferryfacility

ENDS

© Scoop Media