Saint Andrews property owners speak out against wharf refurbishment plan

Some property owners in Saint Andrews are speaking out against a plan to refurbish the Market Wharf, although the design was chosen by the public in a community vote.

The wharf, long overdue for repairs, is central to both tourism and industry in the area. Two years ago, the town voted on a design they felt would best reinforce the existing structure. 

But property owners near the wharf are fearful the chosen design may cause damage to their own properties and are awaiting the results of a study to assess the environmental impact of the project. 

Cindy Kohler lives just a few coastal properties away from the wharf and is concerned about erosion and sediment damage from the refurbishment.

"It's really frustrating," Kohler said. "They're just looking into the environmental study but it's very late in the game and it's something that should have been done in the beginning."

Kohler is worried about the amount of infill for the wharf extensions, which will add a significant chunk of solid rock and steel on the existing mudflat.

She said severe storms cause water levels to rise significantly on her property and thinks the infill would only worsen flooding in the future. 

"The former mayor said that we own waterfront property and we should be taking care of it in our own way, that erosion is going to happen regardless," said Kohler. "We do have a good seawall here and we have taken care of it."

Kohler is not alone in her concerns. Matt Abbott, the Fundy Bay Keeper with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said the concerns are legitimate and bring a whole new set of challenges to this coastal community.

"When we build hard infrastructure like infill for a wharf and we change where the energy from the tides are flowing, we can have an impact on that coast," said Abbott.

The Conservation Council is concerned that not enough has been done to get an accurate prediction of the consequences of this chosen design. 

"Wharves are long lasting infrastructure, so you only get to make that design decision once," said Abbott. "I know they're in a tricky situation so I think it's wise to take some time."

The design of the refurbishment was selected using a community voting process, but the final decision to go ahead with this project still lies with town council.

The town recently hired an engineering firm to assess the concerns of property owners.