Whyalla City Council’s iconic jetty – the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere – is now officially open to the public.
In a small ceremony, Mayor Clare McLaughlin and Premier Steven Marshall performed the honours, enabling residents to now experience first-hand the once-in-a-generation project.
Ms 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’s been built by the community, and is for the community,” Ms McLaughlin said.
“This is a truly spectacular achievement that will help put Whyalla on the map, with its completion further evidence of council delivering on its promises to residents.”
This landmark project was built using high-quality, high-strength materials, ensuring it is built to last for at least the next 80 years. The overall cost of the project to ratepayers will also be spread across this timeframe, helping secure a world-class jetty at a minimal annual cost.
Ms McLaughlin said although the COVID-19 situation had unfortunately prevented Council from celebrating this momentous occasion on a grander scale, they were committed to holding a major community day – without restrictions – as soon as possible, with the community to be kept informed over the coming months.
She said the support of the State Government was critical, with the Weatherill government making a $1 million commitment to the jetty, which the current Marshall government has maintained and delivered upon.
She also thanked GFG Alliance Executive Chairman, Sanjeev Gupta, for the donation of close to 150 tonnes of structural steel from the Whyalla Steelworks, as well as all the local businesses and industries who contributed to the project.
“It’s fantastic to have the city’s main industry contribute to such an important community asset, and is further evidence of council and GFG working together to transform our great city,” she said.
Jetty comes full circle
The new and improved Whyalla Jetty is proving there’s truth to the old saying, everything comes full circle.
The jetty’s circular design, the most popular vote chosen by Whyalla residents, is an apt and fitting nod to the recyclable nature of its structural material.
The steel for the original jetty was produced by the Whyalla Steelworks in the 1970s before being taken back to the steelworks scrap yard to be recycled.