e-Bulletin Issue 3, 22 February 2016
Update - February 2016
Welcome to our quarterly update on Next Generation Port Otago, updating you on progress across the Next Generation capital works programme.
Next Generation on target at 13.5 metres
Port Otago has reached its initial target depth of 13.5 metres at low tide (or chart datum) for the shipping channel to Port Chalmers. This applies to both sandy material dredged by New Era and the rocky and silty areas being completed by Heron Construction’s backhoe Kimihia. Stage two of the phased dredging programme, to 14 metres, along with some essential maintenance dredging, will commence following the five-yearly survey and maintenance on the New Era which is currently underway. The dredge will be back in operation from late March. Sheet piling stage one of the Container Terminal berth has also been completed, with stage two (for the Multi-Purpose berth) scheduled to commence in June.
New Tug & Barge
Hapuka
Port Otago's new split-hopper barge, Hapuka, has arrived and is currently in Dunedin undergoing maintenance and repair works. The 765-cubic metre capacity barge will go into service initially alongside our grab crane Vulcan. Later in the year it will work alongside the New Era to haul dredged material to the disposal site. The build of our new tug Arihi is progressing well, with launching in Turkey expected during March. It will have a bollard pull of at least 30 tonnes and is expected to arrive in Dunedin in July.
The Arihi build underway
Warehouse Expansion
Back Beach Warehouse
The Back Beach warehouse extension has been completed by contractors Calder Stewart and is now operational. It incorporates a new office and amenities building and adds 25% capacity to on-wharf dairy storage.
Construction is also well-advanced on the additional 3,800 m² warehouse facility at Sawyers Bay. The new warehouse provides configurations for separate or combined lease. It is ideally situated for importers and exporters adjacent to the State Highway and close to Port Chalmers. There has been strong interest to date from existing customers, with flexible storage and packing solutions able to be tailored to other cargo owners. Contact Peter Brown, GM Commercial, at 03 472 9724 for further information. Sawyers Bay
Additional Warehouse - Artist's Impression
Environmental monitoring
Kelp Monitoring – The baseline survey was completed during December at sites between Warrington and Shag Point, while measurement of light and regular download of data at these monitoring locations is ongoing. Quarterly dive surveys will commence in MarchSeagrass Monitoring – The summer round of quarterly seagrass monitoring showed the typical seasonal variation in abundance and density.Turbidity – Port Otago continues to monitor turbidity levels at seven sites within the harbour during dredging works. There have been no dredging related exceedances outside of the normal natural events such as wind and rain which do elevate turbidity levels at times. More information can be found on the Turbidity Monitoring page of the Next Generation Port Otago website.
Consultative group meetings are continuing with meetings scheduled for February and March.
