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UNIQUE: An artist's impression of how the new Whyalla jetty will look.
Whyalla’s new jetty has moved another significant step forward with the announcement South Australian company Maritime Constructions will be building the new structure.
The appointment of the Port Adelaide-based marine construction specialist was given the green light by elected members at Monday night’s Council meeting (February 18) following a comprehensive assessment and tender process.
The innovative new jetty, that includes a unique loop, has a final cost to Council of $6.5m after taking out the $1m State Government contribution and the donated steel from GFG Alliance.
City of Whyalla CEO Chris Cowley said the unique design meant costs were higher than the initial plans for a direct replacement of the existing structure but Council officers and elected members were comfortable with the city’s ability to fund and manage the financial logistics.
“Our estimates in the initial stages of the project were conservative and didn’t fit in with the remarkable game-changing nature of this structure as chosen by the community through public consultation,” Mr Cowley said.
“This price tag is still very much within Council’s financial management plan, is entirely fundable and sustainable within our overall financial plans.
“This structure is going to be a unique jetty in Australia and just the tourism dollars it generates will be enough to justify this investment.
“This is an exciting investment in Whyalla’s future that can be managed now and into the future.”
Mr Cowley said there would be no direct rate rise arising from the new jetty that had an estimated lifespan of 80 years.
“Rates are calculated with many different factors and this project is just one of many different requirements and obligations that Council factors into its working budget,” he said.
Mr Cowley said Council’s management of the project meant a substantial amount of the project’s funding would go directly back to the community through wages and materials. The project has also been approved by the traditional Barngarla owners of the land who will help oversee the construction process to protect the environment.
“We have an assurance from Maritime Constructions that they will use local workers wherever possible and source local materials,” Mr Cowley said.
“More than $2.5m will flow directly into the pockets of local businesses, contractors and workers with just as much in subsequent business and benefits making their way into our city.”
Maritime Constructions is a family-owned company that most recently built the Rapid Bay jetty on the Fleurieu Peninsula and has been responsible for work on all of South Australia’s jetties.
Maritime Constructions’ Manager of Harbours-Marine Division, Adam Bolton said the company had also built structures, of a similar method to the Whyalla jetty construction, at Monkey Mia and Anthon’s Landing in Western Australia along with several larger scale projects around Australia.
“We’ve been tracking this project since it was first announced and we are super excited about winning the construction contract,” Adam said.
“We estimate about 30 per cent of our workforce on the ground will be locals.
“We are going to help build a unique jetty that is going add value to the city and pride in the community.”
MARINE EXPERIENCE: The new Rapid Bay jetty built by Maritime Constructions.
Maritime Constructions’ schedule will see the demolition of the existing jetty in mid to late April this year, the start of construction in late May, a structural finish in December with an official opening planned for January next year.
Mr Cowley paid tribute to the council staff who have managed this enormous planning job and ensured it is a Whyalla-owned project. The extensive public engagement in the project will continue to keep the community in the loop as it progresses.
“It has been frustrating that we’ve missed some estimated deadlines but we’re not going to apologise for aiming high and striving for the best possible project in the best possible time,” Mr Cowley said.
“We are dealing with public money and are building a structure for our residents for the next 80 years, so we’ve had to temper that enthusiasm with the right processes.
“We’d like to thank the Whyalla public for its patience and assure them the wait is going to be worth it.”
2019 jetty construction schedule
- Contract with Maritime Constructions to be signed in February
- Supplier selection and management plan in February
- Fabrication and procurement in March
- Demolition of existing jetty in April to May
- Pile driving begins end of May
- Structural completion in December
- Open for public use in January 2020.