Whyalla’s iconic new jetty continues to attract widespread acclaim, taking out top honours in the peak South Australian engineering body’s annual awards.

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, South Australian Division (IPWEA SA) presents annual Excellence Awards to encourage and recognise excellence in the innovation, development, construction, and management of public works projects, and those involved in bringing them to life.

This year the City of Whyalla took out the IPWEA SA’s prestigious Best Public Works Project over $5.0m.

The judges commented on the high caliber of projects presented this year and extended praise to all nominees.

They further commented that the Whyalla jetty was “highly unique in it's aesthetic, and a-typical of a council led project.”

They were impressed by the innovative lighting design and disability access, the commitment shown through engagement of local businesses throughout the project and the potential to attract visitors and boost the local economy long into the future.

City of Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin was delighted by the news of the award win.

“The new jetty is an impressive feat of engineering and it’s fabulous that this outstanding achievement has been recognised with such a prestigious award,” Mayor McLaughlin said.

“I’d like to thank everyone who played a part in the construction of the jetty – both within council and the numerous contractors who contributed to the project – and congratulate the team on their win.

“While 2020 has been a year of challenges, in Whyalla there’s been a sense of excitement as we were lucky enough to watch a new, uniquely-designed jetty come to life before our eyes.”

Since opening, the once-in-a-generation jetty has been enormously popular and is attracting visitors and locals alike with its distinctive design and state-of-the-art features.

“In two months, it has already attracted more than 30,000 visits, as well as more than 15 million hits worldwide from coverage across various media and social platforms, so it’s really helping showcase our great city to the world,” Mayor McLaughlin said.

Jetty Facts:

• Width = 4.5m.
• Length = 165m.
• Loop circumference = 150m.
• Total length including loop = 315m.
• Supported by 102 pylons driven into the seabed.
• Made of industrial strength pre-cast concrete slabs suitable for marine environments.
• Steel mesh sides act as a wind break.
• Brushed steel balustrade along entire length.
• Bespoke lighting installed inside the top handrail.  Each 500mm of handrail has a 50mm LED pod around the entire length of interior and exterior balustrade.
• 45m access ramp, built to Australian standards.
• Open sections allow for children and people in wheelchairs to have an unobstructed view.
• Six locations around the exterior of the jetty have sliding sleeves on the top handrail sections for children or the disabled to fish from.
• Made possible by State Government funding and structural steel donated by the local GFG Alliance Whyalla Steelworks

ELATED: Mayor Clare McLaughlin, CEO Justin Commons and Council staff socially distanced around the loop of the jetty to celebrate and commemorate the award win.