Clean up from fire to start soon on Raglan Wharf

Update 29th April- Raglan Wharf open again for fishers.

Media release from Waikato District Council 16.04.2010

There is currently no public access to the Raglan wharf as the clean up process continues following this week’s fire.

Local demolition company, Raglan Excavators have been contracted to clear the debris and make the site safe, after fire destroyed the Raglan wharf’s main warehouse building.

Once the cleanup has been completed the site will be open for public access.

Ends

Note though, that although the wharf is closed, the adjacent launching ramp is still operating.  The Marlin cafe is also still open for business and the Silo apartments are open.

Although the above Council press release on Friday 16th says that, ‘the clean up process continues’, there is little evidence of any clean up having started yet.  This photo taken on Sunday shows the debris from the fire still in place.  Staff members from Raglan Electrical were climbing over the wreckage, perhaps to isolate a power cable.

Local residents have approached The Raglan Website and commented on the lack of leadership from the Waikato District Council and the Raglan Community Board after the fire.   This press release is the first evidence that the Waikato District Council is doing something.

A number of residents have told us that rebuilding the wharf is now the top priority project for the Waikato District Council and that Council needs to defer other projects such as the Kopua Footbridge until after the wharf is rebuilt.