Narooma Wharf replacement

In April 2023, Transport for NSW conducted an open tender process to find a suitably qualified contractor to carry out the work described in the Review of Environmental Factors. Unfortunately, a suitable contractor could not be identified during the tender process which concluded in late 2023.
 
Transport for NSW is now seeking alternative options to complete the project. We will keep the community informed of any progress.

Following the release of the submissions report in November, the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been determined and Transport for NSW is now seeking to engage a suitably qualified contractor to undertake the construction of a replacement wharf in the location of the existing Narooma Wharf.

We are now advertising the tender for the construction work of this project. This tender process will take a number of months to complete. Information about the tender process can be found on the eTender website.

We will continue to update you on the progress of this project.

Last year, Transport for NSW Maritime sought community feedback on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF), which set out the plan for the Narooma Wharf upgrade.

The comments received from both the community and several government agencies, as well as businesses and environmental associations were invaluable in this process and we thank everyone who responded.

The Submissions Report (PDF, 2.89 MB), which details the comments we received and the project team's responses to those issues can now be downloaded or viewed from this page (see the Documents section below). It also includes some changes to the project as a result of feedback received.

The REF now needs to be determined (final approval) and then we will advertise for a contractor and start work (we are aiming for late in the first quarter of 2023). We will confirm this date again well before work starts.

TfNSW sought community feedback on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF), which is the planning document for the reconstruction of the wharf to ensure that we fully understand the local community’s needs.

The REF was on public display from Monday 9 May until Friday 15 July 2022.

Narooma Wharf is located on the northern side of Bluewater Drive, Wagonga Inlet, in the Eurobodalla Shire Council local government area, is currently used by tour boat operators, commercial fishing operators, as well as the local community and tourists. A public walkway and kerbside parking are located along the southern side of the existing wharf.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is planning to upgrade Narooma Wharf due to its age and deteriorated condition. TfNSW is also taking this opportunity to improve the safety for users of the facility by including floating components and a lower level landing in the new design. This will provide safer access for users boarding boats during high and low tides, which is currently challenging due to the fixed level of the existing wharf.

The proposal includes the replacement of the existing wharf with a new wharf of similar size and position, with improved amenity and access for both boats and pedestrians.

The key features of the proposal are as follows: 

• Staged demolition and removal of the existing wharf, including the removal of the:
  • concrete wharf section
  • wharf deck and furniture
  • timber and concrete piles
  • utilities
• Construction of a new main wharf, up to 77 metres long by three metres wide, that is fixed and connected to the shore via walkways and infill micromesh
• Construction of a new three-metre-wide floating pontoon, up to 66 metres long, connected to a shore-side platform via a gangway with a landing platform
• Installation of a ten metre long lower-level landing, halfway along the main fixed wharf, with stairs connecting the landing to the main wharf and shore level
• Installation of berthing and mooring infrastructure and wharf furniture, such as fenders, bollards, safety ladders, rails and lighting
• Ancillary wharf services such as a new sewage pump-out facility and sewer connection, upgraded firefighting and power and water service pedestals
• Upgrade or repair of the seawall adjacent to the pontoon and placement of rock revetment along a 24-metre section, if required.

The benefits of this project will be far-reaching:

• the wharf will be safer and more accessible to all users of all abilities; 
• the upgrade will fuel economic growth for the area through improved access to coastal infrastructure and river systems for commercial, industrial and recreational vessels
• it will enhance the use of maritime infrastructure for recreational and tourism purposes, with resulting opportunities for employment
• it will mitigate against safety risks to vessels, passengers and pedestrians using the facility
• the new wharf will contribute to the protection of coastal assets and environmental values.

The proposed work would be staged to ensure that the wharf would remain operational as much as possible during the construction period.

Subject to awarding a suitable contractor, construction of the proposal is expected to commence around mid-2023 and take about six months to complete, depending on weather.

Work is progressing well on the project, with following next steps

• Award the contract for the construction work
• Start of construction.

We will keep you updated on the progress of the project and will inform you before any work starts.

• May 2022 community update (PDF, 2.2 MB)

• November 2022 Submissions Report (PDF, 2.89 MB)
• Review of Environmental Factors - April 2022 (PDF, 27.91 MB)