Royalties fund hope for new Bunbury jetty

Royalties for Regions would be the most likely source of funding for a structure to replace the Bunbury Timber Jetty, according to Bunbury Mayor David Smith.

The last remnants of the Bunbury Timber Jetty were removed from the Outer Harbour last week, marking the end of the 149-year-old structure.

About 5000 tonnes of timber, 1.5km of rail line, an old transformer, a submerged wheat loader and 16 mooring bollards were pulled out of the Outer Harbour as part of the jetty’s removal.

The council has to install some of the jetty’s best timbers at the causeway as an interpretive project, under conditions imposed by the Heritage Council of WA.

The heritage interpretation will include story telling and artefact displays.

The Mayor said the council had discussed adding a modern 220-metre jetty from the heritage work which would allow public access.

The replacement jetty would be constructed from steel and concrete.

Last year the Mayor expressed a wish for a public jetty which would be able to dock ships such as the Endeavour, the Duyfken and the Leeuwin.

Last week the Mayor said his hopes for the replacement jetty were now “past history”.

“(The) council would still consider this if some State or Federal funding was available,” the Mayor said.

“The most likely sources of funding are Royalties for Regions or a Regional Development Australia grant.”

The replacement jetty was estimated to cost $3.5 million.

Bunbury Timber Jetty Environment and Conservation Society president Phil Smith said the jetty had provided people with a place to fish.

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

He said it was sad there was no longer somewhere for people who did not own a boat to cast a fishing line.

The Mayor said he would raise the issue with Forrest MHR Nola Marino but first required up-todate cost estimates.

The Bunbury City Council ruled the ageing jetty was beyond saving and began its deconstruction mid-2012.

The deconstruction of the 1.8km jetty, undertaken by Swan Marine Construction, cost $2.7 million.