Ferry Wharves project scope increases

The $9.4 million works package includes the design development for Greenwich Point, Darling Point and Double Bay wharves, and the procurement of pontoons for South Mosman, Double Bay and Greenwich Point. The first stage of the project, including design of Taronga Zoo, South Mosman and construction of North Sydney Wharf is well advanced.

Project Director Nick Limbrey said the additional development packages were a testament to our teams’ technical expertise and excellent working relationship developed with the client as they continue to deliver the NSW Government’s Transport Access Program (TAP).

“We’re currently busy finalising the design and planning for Taronga Zoo and South Mosman wharves,” Nick said.

“We’re also in the process of fitting out the new pontoon for North Sydney which will be ready to be towed to site next month and put into service by June this year.”

The team’s focus will soon shift to the fabrication of new pontoons for future wharves. These floating steel structures of up to 128t nett require rigorous quality assurance checks and are proudly being constructed in NSW as part of the NSW State Government’s COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package.

On some of the forthcoming sites, the wharf upgrades include the design and construction of new hydraulically operated platforms and cliff-face lifts.

Technical Manager Alan Millar is a specialist in the hydraulic platform technology which connects the wharf to the ferry fleet, allowing it to automatically adjust its height based on the prevailing conditions and the optimal freeboard of the berthing vessel.

“This allows for safe and equitable embarking and disembarking of passengers, and is particularly useful on the more exposed wharves in the network. “

“The challenges presented by the construction of lift shafts on cliff-faces in locations only accessible by water are also engaging the teams’ engineering-led innovative solutions to methods, planning and procurement,” Alan said.

Upgrades also include:

• a waiting area with a curved roof, seating and glass weather protection panels for passenger comfort
• covered gangways
• new lifts, ramps and stairs on the foreshore and inter-modal connections to bus stops, accessible parking, bicycle parking and kiss-and-ride zones.

The Transport Access Program (TAP) is delivering a better experience for public transport customers across NSW by providing accessible, modern, secure and integrated transport infrastructure.