Funding to futureproof SA's ageing jetties

03 April 2024

The South Australia Jetties Renewal Program has earmarked $10 million over the next four years to support repairs to some of our most beloved pieces of coastal infrastructure.

Port Elliot Jetty on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Picture: Nathan Godwin

Several regional councils – including Tumby Bay, Yorke Peninsula and Port Lincoln – have been offered funding to repair some of the state’s much-loved jetties as part of the South Australia Jetties Renewal Program.

The state government has allocated $10 million over four years to be used for projects to improve the condition and sustainability of jetties that are owned by the state but leased to local councils.

The funding is expected to support up to 10 projects across six council areas, including Alexandrina Council which was awarded $174,000 to help reopen the Port Elliot Jetty. The jetty, at Horseshoe Bay, was closed to the public in February 2023 due to significant structural and safety issues.

Currently, 35 of the state's 75 jetties are leased back to local government. Under these lease arrangements, councils are responsible for all repairs and maintenance.

Councils to receive funding were asked to contribute financially to their project on a 50-50 split and accept an extension to the lease arrangements for a minimum of 15 years once their project was completed.

Projects to receive funding were:

Port Lincoln Town Jetty, City of Port Lincoln - $380,000
Port Elliot Jetty, Alexandrina Council - $174,000
Port Vincent Fisherman’s Jetty, Yorke Peninsula Council - $197,000
Port Hughes Jetty, Copper Coast Council - $491,000
Kingston Jetty, Kingston District Council - $2.87 million
Tumby Bay Jetty, Renewal District Council Tumby Bay - $2.4 million
Yorke Peninsula Piling Program (potentially including Ardrossan, Port Victoria, Edithburgh and Stansbury Jetties), Yorke Peninsula Council - $3.5 million

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport received 10 applications for funding totalling $40.3 million. As a result, several projects have been recommended to be rescoped to better align with the program’s objectives.

The South Australia Jetties Renewal Program is part of a $20 million investment, announced in last year's state budget, to help councils address immediate and critical concerns regarding the condition of a number of state jetties.