The council noticed a deterioration of the wharf in a part believed to belong to the council and contacted AusSpan to conduct a conditions assessment.

They found “significant” work is required to an area in the middle of the wharf.

Marine and Safety Tasmania determined the section was the council’s responsibility, but the council disputed it. 

The MAST spokeswoman said the marine body was responsible for newly constructed parts of the wharf and two finger piers to the North, but weren’t responsible for the area in between. 

“It’s definitely not ours,” a MAST spokeswoman said.   

The area in question is the area between the Blue Shed and Skippers.

The council’s corporate services manager Bob Hoogland said the council was aware of the ownership anomaly. 

“Apart from this infrastructure issue, the lack of clarity around ownership has created and is creating issues around the operation of the wharf area, enforcement of controls and implementation of projects,” he said in the council agenda. Mr Hoogland said the council understands that MAST believes the land is council owned, but said there was “limited documentation”. 

A statement from a Crown Land Services spokesperson in the council’s July agenda confirmed the land is under Crown ownership. The spokesperson further stated there was a request from the council for ownership transferal but there was no record of this occurring. 

A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesperson said discussions were underway. “The Parks and Wildlife Service is liaising with the local council and MAST to clarify responsibility issues,” the spokesperson said. 

The council unanimously voted to negotiate with the relevant representatives from the state government to clarify the ownership and responsibility for operation, maintenance and long-term repair of the entire St Helens Wharf.  A government spokesperson said the infrastructure ownership would be investigated in a timely fashion.