NEW TRAINING WALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 17, 16 April 1947, Page 5

NEW TRAINING WALL

MAJOR HARBOUR WORKS BOARD’S NEW PROPOSAL A substantial scheme for erecting a training wall at the Heads for the purpose of blocking the Eastern entrance to the harbour, thus ensuring a greater flow of water over the main one was discussed by the Whakatane Harbour Board at its meeting last week. In a special report the consulting engineer (Mr C. H. Brebner) stated that on the chairman’s instructions the following estimate had been prepared for the construction of a concrete block retaining wall to close the gap from the southern end of the existing groyne on the eastern side of the eastern channel entrance to the Beacon due west of the groyne, a distance of some 350 feet. The blocks would be hollow ones cast at some convenient point, floated into position, then submerged and filled with concrete. It was estimated that each block would cost £92 in position and a total of 58 blocks 8’ x 6’ x 7’ would be required.

The cost of each block was based as under: Three cubic yards reinforced concrete at £B, £24; 10 cubic yards core at £5, £SO; towage etc., £8; anchoring, submerging etc, £lO. A total of 58 blocks at '£92, £5,336. It had to be appreciated said Mr Brebner, that this was an estimate based on approximate depths and little data and should the Board seriously consider proceeding with the scheme a detailed survey of the area concerned would be necessary before a firm estimate could be prepared. On the available data however, the estimate prepared should not be far out. An alternative scheme using stone instead of concrete blocks should be considered before a decision is arrived at. The Board showed the greatest interest in the scheme and instructed the consulting engineer to submit an alternative rock training wall estimate.