State Government provides $3m to ‘rebuild’ Australind Jetty, after petition gains more than 2000 signatures

Calls to re-open one of Australind’s most popular landmarks have been met with millions of dollars in funding, after more than 2000 residents signed a petition to “save” the town’s jetty. Closed to the public earlier this year, the Australind Jetty is now on the road to be “rebuilt” with the help of a $3m State Government grant. Water Minister Dave Kelly said the grant would be used to maintain the structural integrity of the 60-year-old jetty, which has been a tourism attraction and popular spot for locals since it was opened to the public in the early 1990s. “It’s a one-kilometre jetty, so it takes a bit of money to make it safe, the Department (of Water and Environmental Regulation) will do it in a way that will make it safe for decades to come,” he said. “There’s no point doing a patch-up job and having to come back in a couple of years’ time and being in the same situation — so do it once and do it properly.” A petition, organised by Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns, garnered interest from a total of 2098 residents who showed support in fixing the “iconic” jetty. Ms Hanns said residents had shared “fond” memories of the jetty with her and the announcement was a huge win for the local community. “That amount of money will mean a really good fix and therefore we can be really confident that future generations will be able to enjoy it,” she said. The Harvey-Waroona Reporter was told by a Department of Water and Environmental Regulation spokesperson at the time of the jetty’s closure, in January, that it it had been closed “after a local resident injured herself on the jetty”,. However, Australind resident Mick Crosby said it took 10 months for the Shire to put out any communication as to why it was shut down. “The Jetty has been part of the Australind community for over 30 years and used by hundreds of people each week, from children fishing to elderly people using it for exercise,” he said. Recfishwest said the jetty was an important land-based fishing spot for locals looking to catch tailor, whiting and herring or drop crab nets. Operations officer Sam Russell said the announcement was welcome news for anglers in the region. “The loss of this land-based fishing accessibility since January has been a big blow for Australind and Eaton fishers, particularly youngsters. “That’s why it’s great to know the next generation of Australind and Eaton fishers will be able to also enjoy fishing from the SCM thanks to this commitment.”