The people of Lower Hutt are being asked to decide the fate of their wharves, where overdue maintenance and earthquake damage have led to budget over-runs.
The Petone Wharf is one of four wharves in Lower Hutt that is in need of extensive repair or replacement. Photo: 123rf
Wharves at Point Howard, Days and Rona Bays, and Petone are between 88 and 122 years old, and all are in need of repair or replacement.
The Hutt City Council said replacing them all could cost as much as $15 million, and although refurbishing them is cheaper at $10.5m, the longer-term maintenance costs would be more expensive.
Some residents of Petone want the waterfront suburb's quake-damaged wharf to be refurbished, and not replaced.
The 110-year-old wharf, almost 400 metres long, has been closed to the public since the Kaikōura earthquake in November.
The president of a Petone residents' group, Frank Sviatko, said they want the heritage wharf refurbished.
Mr Sviatko said he had seen a proposal for a new, concrete structure but it looked nothing like the existing wharf.
He said people love the original because it was part of old Petone.
The Hutt City Council will begin a formal consultation process with the community on Tuesday.
