Tumby Bay residents may enjoy a stroll along the local jetty sooner than expected, with a possible temporary fix on the horizon.
Closed since October 2022 after wild weather damaged the structure, new hope has been sparked by Maritime Constructions’ offer to undertake selective load testing of the structure.
Visual inspections show that many components are significantly deteriorated, but the new analysis undertaken by the marine contractors alongside maritime engineers, Walbridge Gilbert Aztec, will reveal the actual load capacity remaining.
Tumby Bay Mayor Geoff Churchett says if successful, it is expected the works will render the jetty safe for pedestrian use only up to, but excluding, the wider section at the end of the jetty.
The Council has committed up to $150,000 towards the works.
“The proposed approach doesn’t guarantee that we will get the jetty reopened, but it provides the best opportunity we have been able to generate since the closure was forced in 2022,” Mayor Churchett says.
Tumby Bay Council CEO Rebecca Hayes says this glimmer of hope is a big deal for the community, explaining there has been a positive response online and around the town.
“It’s a really important asset to our community… so being able to provide this solution is really important to us, CEO Hayes says.
“I just need to remind everybody it is an interim solution, so it will hopefully open the jetty for another 18 months.”
While the temporary fix is in place, the Council will continue working with the State Government and local residents to find a sustainable long-term solution.
It is not yet known if there will be weight restrictions on the jetty during the interim solution.
You can find more information here.
