Clear insights and smart solutions for Whangārei’s coastal structures
For Whangārei District Council, keeping public assets safe and serviceable is a top priority. Every three years, more than 200 coastal and parkland structures - from bridges and seawalls to wharves, pontoons and platforms - are assessed by qualified inspectors.
For this challenging and large-scale project, WDC turned to GRIT. Locally based and experienced in condition assessment, our inspectors brought both technical expertise and local knowledge - essential for navigating tricky sites where access often meant travelling by boat or on foot through wilderness areas.
Using technology and local knowledge
By connecting with locals, our team not only located hard-to-find assets but also gained valuable insight into community concerns, hazards and ideas for improvement.
To maximise efficiency, we worked with WDC to create a live-capture inspection template in a specialised app. This ensured all required data and photographs were recorded in a single visit, and provided consistent, data-rich reports. Drones, 360-degree cameras and inspection mirrors were also deployed to inspect areas that were risky or impossible to reach safely.
Thanks to this combination of technology and teamwork, every asset was inspected within two months. WDC received detailed reports with interactive imagery, giving them a clear view of each asset’s structural condition, remaining lifespan and maintenance priorities, to enable informed long-term planning.
From insight to action
GRIT’s work on the inspection programme also meant we were well positioned to step in quickly when one of WDC’s coastal assets needed urgent repair.
At Ocean Beach, a popular local and visitor destination, a timber viewing platform was damaged by a vehicle. Drawing on our understanding of the structure, GRIT was engaged by WDC to redesign and upgrade the platform so it would meet modern standards and last well into the future.
Timber structures in exposed coastal environments are particularly vulnerable to degradation. But our previous structural assessment proved that the existing foundations could safely be reused, reducing costs and minimising ground disturbance.
Another challenging aspect was the platform’s curved boundary joist - originally specified in MSG8 timber - which proved too difficult to bend on site. Working with the contractor, we developed a more practical and workable solution using laminated F8-grade plywood, connected with stainless steel nails and glue. The alternative design was economical, durable and easy to construct, allowing work to progress quickly.
