An important stage of the Kāmoanahaehae - Riverside Park development in downtown Alexandra is being moved forward to ensure better stability of the site.

The Vincent Community Board yesterday heard from parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey, who said the ramp from the edge of the riverbank to a floating jetty, would need to be completed in Stage One, at a cost of $400,000.

The ramp was intended to be the main feature of the design and allowed people to access right down to the water’s edge. 

In his report, he said the design of the ramp itself, based on Geotech requirements, had been challenging to ensure it met required building standards, was flood resistant, looked good and was functional. 

A wooden design had been agreed on which would see 9m poles driven into the ground to support it. 

“This option provides least disturbance to the bank and any potential archaeological items. The poles will need to be precisely placed then driven into the ground to anchor the ramp.”

But until that phase was completed, contractors were unable to finish and concrete the plaza area in Stage One as vibrations would crack it.

As a result, staff recommended bringing forward the start of the work for Stage Two - which included the ramp and gabion baskets to create a level area for the mana whenua artwork, associated balustrade and lookout.

The VCB agreed to fund the $400,000 through its Reserves Contribution Fund.

“If we are going to do it, we need to do it properly,” Gordon said.

In the 2021 – 31 Long Term Plan council allocated $650,000 over three years for the construction of the Kāmoanahaehae - Riverside Park, and additional funding of $723,848 was also received from Otago Community Trust ($100,000), Central Lakes Trust ($250,000), Lottery Environmental and Heritage Fund ($48,848), and MBIE TiF funding ($325,000).

Construction began in September 2024 on Stage 1 which included several additional permissions, underground work and investigations required for archaeological authority. 

Additional work was undertaken by the Otago Regional Council in the removal of the riverbank trees from the traffic bridge to Tarbert Street.

The Wairoa Manuherekia Trust provided $120,000 for the removal of additional willow trees from the Manuherekia riverbank and an off-road trail was currently linking the park to the Linger and Die and onto the Otago Central Rail Trail.