Hanbars being installed on wall

WORK is well under way at Ballina's North Wall, with the uniquely designed hanbars being installed.

The hanbars have created some interest among passers-by.

"The hanbars on the wall at Ballina are a design developed by NSW Public Works engineers for breakwater construction and repair," a spokesman for NSW Trade and Investment, Crown Lands, said.

"The units are widely used to armour breakwaters requiring repair or upgrading.

"The units are unique to NSW. The unusual shape allows the units to interlock, providing protection (armour) to the smaller material used in the breakwater core.

"At the same time the voids between the interlocking units provide a mechanism whereby the energy from waves crashing into the breakwater can be dissipated.

"The size of the arms in the unit is such that the units provide resistance to breaking waves as well as overall mass to help lock the units together."

The work has forced the closure of the eastern end of the wall.

It is expected that the work will be completed by the end of May.