Whyalla Icon Celebrates First Anniversary
Whyalla’s iconic circular jetty has reached its first anniversary, attracting close to 100,000 visits in a busy and popular first 12 months!
The jetty was officially opened a year ago by Mayor Clare McLaughlin and Premier Steven Marshall, receiving widespread acclaim ever since, including from the Premier who labelled it “one of the most exciting structures in the southern hemisphere”.
The project has scooped statewide awards from Local Government Professionals and the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia; as well as currently being a finalist in the Urban Development Institute of Australia SA awards, and the Local Government Professionals’ national awards (making it one of the top seven local government projects in Australia).
Media and social coverage has also reached millions of people across the globe, garnering praise from current and ex-locals, as well as many who could only dream of something similar in their town!
Mayor McLaughlin said the jetty was a testament to the capability of Whyalla City Council and local industry, and is a development of which the entire community can be proud.
“The design of the jetty was chosen by the community, it was built by the community, and its popularity over the past 12 months has proven that it is for the community,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“This stunning achievement has made Whyalla the envy of other cities, making it a tourist destination and a place people now want to stay and explore further.”
The new jetty has been unprecedented in its ability to attract tourists, adding significant value to the local economy. Since the jetty opened, the Whyalla Visitor Centre has recorded an increase of 40% in visitor numbers compared to the previous year, with these visitors spending $82 million locally.
Tracking on the jetty has seen visitor numbers peak at nearly 3000 per week, with the total number of visits to the jetty in its first year edging towards 100,000.
Mayor McLaughlin once again thanked the State Government for their support – with the Weatherill government committing $1 million which the Marshall government delivered upon – as well as GFG Alliance for the donation of close to 150 tonnes of structural steel from the Whyalla Steelworks.
As well as the local steel, council maximised the use of local contractors, who contributed about 8,000 hours to the project to ensure the jetty is truly local.
“There are hundreds of residents who will be able to look at this landmark for decades to come knowing they contributed to a piece of our history,” she said.
“As well as attracting tourists, this is about improving the liveability of our city for existing residents and helping attract new people. The jetty is also the centrepiece around which we intend to redevelop our broader foreshore, making the entire precinct a world-class destination.”
Check out the commemorative video here!
Jetty project facts and figures
Length | 167 metres | Approximately the same as the Adelaide Oval playing surface |
Total estimated weight | 1,235 tonnes | Almost double the weight of the city’s other iconic landmark – HMAS Whyalla |
Number of concrete panels | 292 | Weighing a total of 820 tonnes and containing 100% recycled plastic fibres |
Bolts and anchors used to fix the jetty in place | 3,280 |
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Hours of local labour | 8,000 | The first new jetty built in South Australia since 2008 |