REPAIRS to weather-damaged sections of Macquarie Pier and Nobbys Head have been completed at the entrance to Newcastle Harbour.
The works restored sections of the pier’s seawall and the rock shelf at Nobbys Headland, which support harbour operations and protect nearby infrastructure and public access areas.
Port Authority of NSW Newcastle harbour master Captain Vikas Bangia said the repairs would help maintain the function of both structures.
“Macquarie Pier and Nobbys Head are more than historic landmarks. Since 1818, Macquarie Pier has made it safer for vessels to move through the harbour entrance by absorbing and deflecting wave energy. The rock shelf at Nobbys Headland was constructed in 2018 and helps protect the surrounding public access areas from potential rockfalls,” Capt. Bangia said.
“They are located in a very exposed area and over time that environment has led to the deterioration of parts of the seawall and rock shelf, making these repairs essential to preserve their ongoing function.”
Drone fly through of the restored Macquarie Pier seawall. Video: EJE Architects
Port Authority of NSW acting group executive, infrastructure, assets and development Catherine Blaine said the works balanced heritage preservation with infrastructure maintenance.
“At Macquarie Pier, we stabilised four sections of the seawall by removing loose and damaged stones while retaining as much of the original structure as possible,” Ms Blaine said.
“Working alongside heritage specialists and stonemasons, we reused sandstone recovered from the site and hand-fitted around 98 reclaimed and newly cut stones to match the original stonework.”
Ms Blaine said the work at Nobbys Headland also addressed deteriorating sandstone.
“Our repairs at Nobbys Headland focused on stabilising sections of the rock shelf and replacing deteriorated sandstone blocks to help reduce the risk of rockfalls impacting nearby infrastructure and public access areas.”
Macquarie Pier is State Heritage-listed. It was originally built as a breakwater linking what was then Nobbys Island, now Nobbys-Whibayganba Headland, to the mainland to provide a safer passage for ships entering the harbour.