Many of Australia’s historic wooden jetties are facing uncertain futures as maintenance and repair costs spiral in the face of the relentless power of the ocean.
However, as grey nomads know only too well, they have huge community value as places to walk, to fish from, and to simply sit and contemplate the meaning of life. And that is why local authorities are desperately keen to preserve them whenever possible.
On South Australia’s York Peninsula, repairs to the much-loved Ardrossan Jetty are well underway, and the State Government and Yorke Peninsula Council have locked in a new joint funding agreement for this project and for the upcoming Edithburgh Jetty works.
Repairs to Ardrossan Jetty will soon be complete. PIC: YP Council
The Yorke Peninsula Council is responsible for more than a third of the state’s 31 local-government-managed jetties, creating additional financial strain. The State Government has said that, in recognition of this, it will deliver an improved 70:30 funding ratio for the repairs of the two jetties.
Separate works, which will commence at Port Vincent Fisherman’s Jetty will bring the total State Government investment to nearly $7.2 million across the three projects within the Yorke Peninsula Council area.
The funding will be delivered through the SA Jetties Renewal Program, which was designed to assist councils to repair the jetties so they can safely remain open for residents and tourists.
Until now, $5 million has been accepted by local councils under the program, helping fund and fast-track several jetty restorations across the state. This has included the successful repair and reopening of Horseshoe Bay Jetty after it was forced to close due to storm damage. Port Lincoln Town Jetty has also been repaired, while works on upgrading the Port Hughes, Haslam and Ardrossan jetties are currently underway.
The Ardrossan Jetty works are expected to be completed shortly.
• How much do you enjoy visiting these historic jetties when you are in coastal towns? Do you think they are worth saving? Comment below.
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
