12:12 pm today

Jetty in Marlborough Sounds closes after 'high risk' to public

12:12 pm today
Waitaria Bay jetty.

Photo: Bayleys

Waitaria Bay jetty in the Marlborough Sounds will close, after a routine inspection revealed it has deteriorated significantly since mid-2023.

Inspectors found structural components, like the the corbels or supports, and the loss of piles and bolted connections were defective.

Marlborough Roads transport recovery manager Steve Murrin said the old jetty was well past its prime.

"Unfortunately over the last 18 months the deterioration has accelerated quickly. Our contracted inspectors WSP have recommended the jetty be closed immediately. Council and Marlborough Roads support their recommendation.

"Unfortunately in certain conditions, such as rough seas, overloading or a vessel strike, these defects could cause a sudden collapse of the jetty. If the jetty were to remain open to the public there is a high risk to the safety of its users.

"Signage and barriers will be put in place as soon as possible," Murrin said.

Murrin said the resource consent process to replace the jetty is already underway.

"We hope a new jetty will be able to be constructed later this year, if all goes to plan with the design and construction process."

People are being told to use the nearby jetty at Fish Bay in the meantime.

Murrin said work is underway to determine if, with minor repairs, the jetty could be reopened until construction of the new jetty starts.

The jetty was damaged in the August 2022 storm. A landslide lifted the section of the jetty closest to land and shunted the seaward portion of the jetty forward.

Some emergency maintenance was undertaken to reopen, with a load restriction of five people at a time on the jetty imposed.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs