Published on Thursday, 4 May 2023 at 2:50:06 PM

Dardanup Shire Council will restore a 60-year-old fishing jetty along the Collie River after public access was removed in January due to safety concerns over its deterioration.

Who owned and had responsibility for management of the Collie River Southern Foreshore Fishing Jetty has been unclear since reconstruction of the Collie River Bridge on Old Coast Road in 2010 where the jetty is located.

Council agreed in January to seek agreement with the other parties for restoration and ongoing management of the jetty, but all approaches were declined.

With the jetty facing permanent closure and demolition, Council agreed at its meeting last week to spend $35,000 of a 2022/23 Budget Allocation of $40,000 for jetty works plus development of a management plan for its ongoing maintenance.

Dardanup Shire President Mick Bennett said the jetty was a well-utilised community facility and ensuring safe access to waterways for recreational activities formed an important objective in the Council Plan 2022-2032.

“The Collie River and its foreshore area in Eaton has special significance to residents of our shire as well as those in neighbouring areas,” Cr Bennett said.

“The River also has cultural, spiritual and historic significance to local Indigenous people – particularly the Wardandi, Pindjarup and Wilman people who used this land for hunting, fishing, camping and ceremony, and to visit and pay respect to their sacred sites.

“For these reasons Council felt compelled to ensure the jetty’s future and the ongoing enjoyment of its availability for all.”

Last year new Boat Washdown Facilities were installed on Eaton Foreshore following a funding allocation by the State Government of $18,000 toward the project.

This followed a $180,000 upgrade involving replacement of the old timber wharf with a modern floating structure and universally accessible platform area.

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