| 119 COMMUNITY Governors Bay Jetty T T Kim Newth Community saves jetty The Governors Bay community rallied around to save the historic Governors Bay jetty. Sharing the grand opening of the rebuilt 300m Governors Bay jetty with the local community at the end of September was a uniquely moving experience for all involved, including the project’s engineering design manager Nick Harwood of Eliot Sinclair, one of the founders of the Governors Bay Jetty Restoration Trust. A long time Governors Bay resident, Nick lives next to the jetty which was closed for years after being severely damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. It looked like the end of the road in 2015 when the Christchurch City Council announced there was no money for repairs. Fortunately, the community refused to let go of the beloved landmark embodying more than 140 years of local history. “In February 2015 we learned at a public meeting that the jetty would not be saved,” says Nick. “With that news the Governors Bay restoration Trust was formed. We were not going to let the jetty be forgotten – we said we would sort it out.” As Principal and Geotechnical Engineer at Eliot Sinclair, Nick was ideally equipped to lead and coordinate engineering design and construction on behalf of the Trust. “In fact, all the people who stood up to save the jetty turned out to have an incredible skillset to run the project from engineering, legal administration and financial management to fundraising and project oversight.” As a multidisciplinary consultancy, Eliot Sinclair was able to undertake the geotechnical and structural engineering, resource management planning, survey and contract management for the jetty rebuild and is proud to have played a key role in supporting the reconstruction of this vital community asset. Historical elements have been respected, with the first 30-metres of the new jetty sitting above an earlier pre-1900 structure. All the years of effort paid off when the jetty opened on 30th September. “That experience of being surrounded by hundreds of people on the jetty really made me realise wow, it’s open – we have finally done it!” Trust Chair Prue Miller says the jetty has been a hive of activity since then, attracting boats, kayaks and paddleboards, along with swimmers and recreational fishers. “People who grew up in the area have come back to admire it while some are coming for the first time and bringing friends and family,” she says. “It’s a stunning location and the jetty provides a unique panoramic view.” Prue led the tender process, managed the contract and project managed the timber supply during the rebuild, all on a pro bono basis. As a construction lawyer with Tom Evatt & Co Lawyers, Prue’s knowledge was invaluable. “We found that people who committed to save the jetty really did take action and made things happen,” says Nick. “That then gave the Council confidence to support us. We’re proud that the Trust has been able to deliver the project for less than half the amount estimated 10 years ago. HEB Construction, along with their subcontractor Parfitt Construction, has been excellent to work with, not only because of their technical expertise but also their attitude and commitment to the job.” LMA Timber also played a pivotal role, supplying sustainably sourced hardwood timber for the jetty’s piles and substructure. All the project’s funders and supporters are listed on the Trust’s website, www.savethejetty.org. In total, $350,000 still needs to be raised so the Trust can finish paying back a loan made by the council in 2022. Proud sponsors of the Governors Bay Jetty Rebuild www.tomevatt.co.nz PARFITT C O N S T R U C T I O N We are proud to have helped build Governors Bay Jetty 027 223 1724 | alex@parfittconstruction.co.nz Proudly supporting Governors Bay Jetty 021 398 800 martin@lmatimber.co.nz www.lmatimber.co.nz Reclaimed & Sustainably Sourced Australian Hardwoods Cladding • Decking • Structural Beams / Posts – Flooring
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