Victory Shed on wharf to be demolished

Published on 09 August 2021

Demolition of the 1940s Victory Shed will take place shortly, says Whanganui District Council’s chief operating officer, Lance Kennedy.

The shed is located on wharves which are being upgraded as part of Te Pūwaha, a collaborative project to revitalise Whanganui’s port.

While it was originally hoped the 1602 square metre building could be retained and used for storage in the project’s commercial marine precinct, continual degradation due to scouring out of the underlying wharf structure has left it unviable.

Lance Kennedy says there is some urgency around the demolition as the building is unstable and contains asbestos.

“At this point, our priority is to protect the river from any contamination and ensure the safety of workers and the community.”

The significant subsidence under the wharves, including the Victory Shed, has been of concern to the council for a number of years.

Mayor Hamish McDouall, a member of the governance group for Te Pūwaha, says the Victory Shed was built after World War 2 to support industry and commerce at the port.

“According to records it was originally named the ‘Victory over Japan Shed’ with the intention that it would become a practical and functional war memorial.”

He says many local people, particularly in Castlecliff, will have an association with the Victory Shed.  “Although the building is not heritage listed, we acknowledge its social and historic connection within the Te Pūwaha project.”

Construction on the Whanganui wharf began in 1884 and included the Castlecliff railway station as a private venture launched by the Heads, then the Castlecliff Railway Company.  

The area is a pre-1900 archaeological site and an archaeologist is working with the Te Pūwaha project.

As part of the wharf redevelopment, photographic records will be taken. Where possible, materials from the building will be salvaged and reused, including the barn-style doors and runners and the name from the side of the building.

This part of the Te Pūwaha project will upgrade 424m of wharves - 200m on Wharf 2 to enable the safe operation of commercial marine activities - and 224m on Wharf 3.

The project will also include development of marine infrastructure, provision of a hardstand and runway suitable for a 300 tonne vessel hoist to enable boats to be lifted in and out of the water and improvements to silt remediation technology to enhance the local boat building and marine industry.

A Te Pūwaha community engagement hui will be held at 5.30pm, Tuesday 10 August at the Duncan Pavilion, Castlecliff Beach and will provide an overview of the project. All are welcome.

For project updates, please visit www.whanganui.govt.nz/port or email portproject@whanganui.govt.nz.

ENDS

Media contact

For further information, contact Te Pūwaha Communications:

Sarah Pomeroy  

027 550 2469  

sarah.pomeroy@whanganui.govt.nz

Acknowledgements:

Te Pūwaha would like to acknowledge Te Awa Tupua and its communities, who are integral to the port revitalisation project.

Te Pūwaha – the Whanganui port revitalisation project is supported with Government funding managed by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit.

The total investment in Te Pūwaha is over $50 million, with the infrastructure works carried out over three tranches or phases. This investment includes a $26.75 million investment managed by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, with the remaining cost and resources covered by Whanganui District Council, Horizons Regional Council, Q-West Boat Builders, and the Whanganui District Employment Training Trust.