A major boost has been given to plans to restore Motueka’s historic wharf, with a $150,000 grant from the Lotteries Environment and Heritage Fund.
The 1887 granite wharf on Motueka Quay is a registered Category 2 Historic Place, but its outer end is collapsing, making it hazardous and increasingly vulnerable to erosion during stormy seas.
The restoration project is being led by the Heritage Wharf Restoration Group, which includes representatives from Keep Motueka Beautiful, the Motueka and Districts Historical Association, Tasman District Council and the Motueka Community Board.
The Lotteries grant brings total funds raised to $289,000, against a target of $378,000 for the main construction work.
“That gives us confidence that the project can proceed,” says Isobel Mosley, chair of the group. “The design and preparatory work are largely completed, and we just have to raise the balance of the funds.”
Tasman District Council has been approached for a contribution, and fundraising efforts are continuing.
Support has also come from the Assaf family, who have chosen to donate proceeds from the sale of the late Peter Assaf’s memoir Knocking on Doors to Keep Motueka Beautiful to support the project.
“We are honoured that the family has chosen to support Keep Motueka Beautiful and this project,” Isobel says.
The next fundraising activity is a bingo night at the Hotel Motueka on Wednesday, 9 April.
People can also support the restoration through Givealittle, or by making a direct donation to the Keep Motueka Beautiful bank account: 03-1354-0654372-16. Donors are asked to include their email address in the reference if they would like a tax receipt.
