So you want to build a jetty? Things to learn about the process
Do you own a section of the coastline? Would you like to add a jetty to provide an all-tide mooring for your lifting keel or cat? Easy access to deep water is a dream for many people but they are put off by the high building costs involved in building a dock.
Building traditional concrete or wooden jetties requires engineering drawings, resource consent, permission from your local authority, and probably your adjoining landowners. You will also need to consider the environmental impact of your structure. If you want to allow public access to your jetty then the costs become even higher as you must think about insurance costs to protect yourself in the event that someone using your jetty has an accident.
Each of these steps has their own costs which must be be considered before you even start to think about the construction costs of the jetty.
What type of jetty is best?
There is no single type of jetty that is perfect for every situation. A traditional wooden jetty may look nice but Toredo worm will attack even treated pine, so you will need to choose Greenheart or something similar for wood that is going to be permanently submerged. A jetty with concrete pontoons will last far longer than wood, but will cost proportionately more to build.
One option which would work out considerable cheaper than a fixed jetty is a floating pontoon dock or jetty. A floating pontoon structure can be built quickly using a modular construction and could be made to any design you wish. A design utilising floating pontoons avoids the need for dredging and obtaining a barge to drive in the piles required for the fixed structure.
Next steps in building your jetty
Before you start thinking about pontoons or planning the design of your new dock it is wise to talk to professionals that construct pontoons and jetties. Start with your local council and find out what regulations you will have to observe. If you want your jetty to be accessible to the public you will have to consider road access and the availability of parking in addition to the actual construction.
At every stage of the process it is wise to talk to your neigbours and let them know what is happening. They will be far less likely to raise objections to your building plans if you have spoken to them to kept them informed of your plans while reassuring them that their concerns have been noted and will be addressed during construction.
