IT was the rumour spreading around Wangi Wangi faster than toilet paper disappears off a supermarket shelf.
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The rumour claimed that an error had been made with the jetty being constructed behind Wangi Wangi RSL Club.
The problem was the piles were too short.
That meant that the jetty platform would regularly be inundated at king tides, in strong winds, or in times of flood.
Some veteran yachties and old salties were concerned.
But they needn't have been.
Lake Macquarie City Council set the record straight today.
"The jetty has two different height decks with the lower level deck being designed in response to community feedback during design consultation," a spokesperson for the council said.
"It was requested that there be a section of the jetty in which smaller vessels with a lower freeboard were able to berth. This would improve the ability for users to enter and exit their boat."
The 'freeboard' is the distance between the water line and the deck level of a boat.
So the freeboard of, say, a tinnie, is significantly different to that of a motor cruiser or large yacht.
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"There are a variety of different sized vessels with varying freeboards that use the lake. The higher deck has been set at a height that is consistent with the average size freeboard of vessels."
There was another possible reason why locals who had observed the height of the piles might have been concerned: they hadn't taken into account the concrete headstock and capping that was to be installed on top of the piles.
The council spokesperson said there was, however, a likelihood that the lower levels of the jetty would go under - at times - but it wouldn't be a problem.
"There is the potential that on occasions when there are a combination of high tides and a large north-east swell that the lower level deck could be inundated," they said.
"It is not expected that this would be a common occurrence and for the majority of the time the deck height will be suitable for smaller vessels to berth.
"The materials used during construction - being concrete, aluminum, and recycled plastic - are low maintenance and will not be affected by occasional inundation like a timber structure would be."
Meanwhile, construction of the jetty is progressing well.
The project is on target to be completed next month.
Work started this week on the lower-level deck.
"The majority of the works to the main deck are complete, with just a fender system, lights and taps to be installed. Works are on track for completion in early April," the spokesperson said.
There are plans for an event to mark the official opening of the structure. But any launch event would be subject to ongoing NSW Health advice regarding social distancing, the council said.
The new jetty is replacing the dilapidated timber structure that was closed in 2017.
The project has been funded to the tune of $668,779 by the state government through its NSW Boating Now program, in association with the council.
