Mixed emotions as Bunbury jetty removed

The removal of the final three jarrah pylons of the Bunbury Timber Jetty was met with mixed emotions from onlookers, some who had fought for the historic structure for decades.

About 5000 tonnes of timber, 1.5km of rail line, an old transformer, a submerged wheat loader and 16 mooring bollards have been pulled out of the Outer Harbour.

The remaining parts of the jetty were ripped up on Tuesday, marking the end of the 149-year-old jetty.

Bunbury Mayor David Smith said he regretted he was the Mayor who had eventually signed off on its deconstruction after supporting the jetty’s protection.

Mr Smith said the jetty had been a big part of his “Huckleberry Finn” childhood.

“For me it was somewhere to catch crabs and mussels for bait and then go looking for fish,” he said.

“There were also occasions for swapping stamps and coins with sailors.”

Bunbury Timber Jetty Environment and Conservation Society president Phil Smith has spent countless hours working to preserve the jetty for future generations.

He said the jetty’s pylons had created an artificial reef which provided a food source for dolphins and fish.

“It was the last spot for disadvantaged people, and by disadvantaged I mean financially as well as physically, to fish,” he said.

“If you don’t have a boat there is now no worthwhile place to fish.”

The end of the jetty was particularly emotional for the port’s longest serving Harbour Master Captain Bob Allsop who said its deconstruction had been inevitable.

“It’s a sad day but also a happy time too because now this area can be developed into a marina,” Capt. Allsop said.

“No one person can be blamed for what has happened to the jetty.

“Everyone could have saved the jetty but everyone didn’t.”

Construction of the Bunbury jetty began in 1864 using convict labour.

In 1982 the jetty was closed after the construction of the Inner Harbour and extensive damage caused by Cyclone Alby four years earlier.

The Bunbury City Council last year ruled the jetty was beyond saving.

Bunbury MLA John Castrilli said it was a day tinged with mixed emotions, given the jetty’s role in the development of Bunbury’s culture and heritage.

City engineer Jason Gick said removing the massive structure had been no small feat but there would now be more water space for the public to enjoy.