Alexandrina Council has signed a contract with McMahon Services to deliver Stage 2 of the Goolwa Wharf Precinct.

At its 18 September meeting the council approved a revised overall project budget of $17.4 million, which includes $1 million in potential contingencies. 

McMahon Services recently successfully delivered the $1.9 million Beacon 19 Boat Ramp for the council within budget. 

The original project budget was $14.5 million, but escalating materials and labour costs forced a delay while it went back out to tender. 

Alexandrina Chief Executive Officer Nigel Morris says the delay was necessary to get the best value for the community. 

“The Goolwa Wharf Precinct is an important South Australian heritage site, an iconic tourism destination and a major driver of economic activity in our region so we are dedicated to getting this project right and committed to achieving value for money,” he says. 

“Inspections of the wharf itself, including assessment by divers, revealed more needed to be done to remediate the structure than was originally anticipated. 

“Like the rest of Australia, we are also experiencing the reality of high inflationary pressures on materials and labour costs and when costings for final designs came in from our initial contractor, we knew we had to go back out and test the market. 

“This has caused delays, but we have already purchased the specialist timber we need for the wharf remediation and the new contractor is scheduled to start works on site in late October or early November. 

“To emphasise the scale of this project, the Goolwa Wharf decking construction will involve enough timber if lined up end-to-end it would reach from Goolwa to Middleton and halfway back again, some 9,030 linear metres of timber. 

“We are delighted with the progress of Stage 1, the renewal of the Signal Point building as a multi-purpose experience centre, which is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2023. 

“As part of the initial steps in Stage 2, we have launched the ‘Register of Interest’ process for leasing or investing in the 12 commercially available premises in the precinct. 

“Interest in the precinct is encouraging with our simple submissions process closing on 29 September 2023. 

“Investment in the Goolwa Wharf Precinct once-in-a-generation opportunity and we look forward to working with the wider community to make this iconic site a vibrant destination that showcases the history and future of our region.” 

The entire $17.4 million Goolwa Wharf Precinct project includes $3.75 million in federal funding and $1.25 million from the state government. 

Details of the Goolwa Wharf Precinct Activation can be viewed on the Alexandrina Council website.