Augusta vows to battle for beloved jetty

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River says it will work with the Augusta community to find a solution for the Turner Street Jetty, after outcry last week at the appearance of fencing and signs cordoning the beloved structure due to safety concerns.

“Due to the age and structural deterioration of the Turner Street Jetty at Colourpatch, it will be closed for the foreseeable future,” the Shire posted on social media on Wednesday March 19.

“Please stay clear of the jetty and respect the closure. Unfortunately, it has reached the end of its useful life, and while we’re exploring options for the future, it’s unlikely to be useable anytime soon.”

Locals were quick to slam the decision, launching an online petition to save the jetty and preserve it as part of the town’s heritage.

“For nearly a century, the Turner Street Jetty has been that place for Augusta,” campaign leader Emma Gillam wrote on the Change.org petition.

“A weathered stretch of timber over the Blackwood River, yet a place that holds a lifetime of moments-first fishing trips, warm summer afternoons, and the feeling of seeing dolphins surface just in front, as if greeting those gathered on the jetty.”

Social media was flooded with posts condemning the decision, questioning the Shire’s reasons behind the closure, and sharing countless photos and memories from the jetty.

On Sunday evening, Shire chief executive Andrea Selvey took to Facebook to engage with the Augusta community directly.

“My entire career in local government has been about building respectful, transparent relationships with communities that I serve, and I recognise and regret that the way that information on the Turner Street Jetty was delivered did not honour community values nor did it meet the standard you as a community expect,” Ms Selvey wrote.

She said the Shire was working on options for the future of the jetty, including costs associated with repair.

Ms Selvey and Shire Directors headed to Augusta on Monday morning to meet with locals and hear their concerns, while the Shire said the jetty would remain closed in the meantime for community safety.

“Annual inspections are completed by our Maintenance team on the Jetty.

“Independent engineering reports are also sought every two years assessing the overall structure above and below the water line.

“The last engineering report, which was just received has identified that deterioration has occurred at a faster rate than anticipated. The amount of work and cost to replace parts of the jetty that have completely failed warrant significant consideration before any action is taken.”

Emma Gillam said the community would not give up without a fight.

“This isn’t just about Augusta. It’s about the places that shape us all, the places we think will always be there-until they aren’t.”

The petition can be found at www.change.org/p/save-the-turner-street-jetty-stop-the-closure-demand-repairs