Funding for the Goolwa Wharf Precinct Project was approved at last week’s Alexandrina Council meeting on 16 January.

The project is thought to be the biggest asset restoration project in the history of the council. 

It resolved to proceed with the priority essential asset renewal works, which will include the wharf decking re-construction, Wharf Shed remediation and Signal Point building roof remediation.

The council estimates that more than 80 per cent of the funding for the project will be spent on much needed restoration of existing assets. 

With $5 million in grant funding available for limited time and the extent of asset deterioration now known, it determined the time for action was now and funded the $14.55 million project. 

Chief Executive Officer Nigel Morris has already put his signature to the purchase of 9,030 linear meters of timber to be used to replace the Goolwa Wharf decking.

“That’s enough wood lined up end to end to get from Goolwa to Middleton and halfway back again,” he says. 

The historic Wharf Shed will be reconstructed and improved with internal lining and glazing.

The council has also committed to the Oscar W tenancy fit-out. 

The public toilets will be removed from the proposed Wharf Shed design to create more space for both the Oscar W facility and the commercial tenant, with the toilet facility to be relocated as a stand-alone building within the Precinct. 

Additional elements include extra car parking, improvements to the Signal Point Building, new rail pedestrian crossings and fencing for pedestrian safety, and upgraded pathways to improve pedestrian and cycle linkages. 

The project’s lead contractor undertook an in-depth investigation into the Wharf Precinct, including soil analyses, diving inspection under the wharf, inspections under the cladding and footings of the Wharf Shed and Signal Point buildings.

This highlighted that the deterioration of the Wharf Precinct is greater than initially expected and so adjustments have been made to the plan.

The external grant funding of $5 million is made up of $3.75 million from the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund and $1.25 million from the state government.

Works are expected to start as early as February. 

The council has also secured $980,000 in funds from the Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Grant Program to develop an immersive story telling initiative in the Signal Point building. 

It will consider the public toilet location and space allocation of the Wharf Shed tenancies at the February council meeting. 

Mayor Keith Parkes says it is an exciting milestone for the project as it progress es towards on-ground construction, precinct enhancements and asset restoration works. 

“Council is committed to delivering this important project for the benefit of our local community, and we will continue to give careful consideration to key stakeholders needs throughout construction and will be working closely with State Heritage throughout the process. 

“As an important project for the Alexandrina region I look forward to realising the Precinct’s potential and revitalisation”.