Source : Perth Now news
A long-standing jetty in Mt Pleasant could be permanently removed following serious safety concerns.
Located on The Esplanade, Gunbower Jetty has been a popular fishing and kayaking spot for decades. It was temporarily closed earlier this year after the structure was deemed unsafe for public use.
The City of Melville said a long-term solution is now required – either the jetty will be refurbished, or it will be permanently closed and destroyed.
It is expected the cost for removal will be about $100,000, while the cost for repairs and reopening the jetty could be about $700,000.
The jetty is made of steel CHS piles and concrete-encapsulated piles of varying diameters. According to the city’s website, the timber connection plates on these concrete-encapsulated piles are failing and therefore unsafe to use.
Corrosion protection issues, connection plate problems and maintenance deficiencies have also damaged the jetty’s structural integrity.
But many local residents were quick to show their support for the jetty, requesting it be fixed and maintained despite the higher cost.
“Do not close this jetty down permanently. It has been enjoyed by the community for generations,” one person wrote under the city’s Facebook announcement.
“There are too many things in the City of Melville which are being torn down, just because the maintenance has not been kept up over the years. This should not become an option for City of Melville, to simply knock down/remove every time something needs repairs,” another person commented.
Locals are invited to have their say on the jetty’s future by completing an online survey until August 30.
This feedback will be reviewed by the city, and a recommendation is expected to be presented to the council for consideration at the September ordinary meeting.
