Jetty’s future still unclear

It is Rockingham’s premier tourist attraction, yet the jetty for transferring passengers from the mainland to Penguin Island resembles more of a construction site.

While picturesque beaches and aquatic wildlife await visitors at Penguin Island, people visiting the island, located 700m west of Mersey Point Reserve, in the past few weeks have been confronted with a jetty in a state of disrepair.

Parts of the boardwalk connecting the visitor centre building to the jetty was buried under sand, while a section of the jetty was cordoned off until emergency repair works were carried out.

Repairs to the Mersey Point infrastructure started last week and were ongoing at press time after severe weather battered Rockingham’s coastline last month and damaged the jetty.

While temporary measures are put in place to secure the jetty for the short-term, including cementing a major section of the boardwalk, the Telegraph understands talks will be held later this month between Penguin Island tourist operator, Rockingham Wild Encounters, the City of Rockingham and the Department of Parks and Wildlife about the jetty’s long-term future.

In a report to Rockingham City Council in May, proposals on the jetty included extensive repair works at a cost of around $100,000 or replacing the jetty to the tune of more than $1 million.

The City confirmed to the Telegraph it has no money in its 10-year business plan to fund the replacement of the jetty.

Rockingham Wild Encounters director Terry Howson said a third option, to demolish the jetty and reinstate the beach to its natural state, would be narrow-sighted.

Mr Howson said the jetty was critical to the operation of his business, which he said attracted more than 80,000 visitors annually.

“It’s impossible to operate without it,” he said.

“Of course it is an option, but if that went further and it did happen, it would be a major problem.”

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said cementing a section of the boardwalk was a short-term solution to cover the upcoming peak tourist season.

“The City has had discussions with the department and has arranged to have further discussions with the commercial operator later this month,” he said.

“Until the outcome of these discussions is fully known, the City is not in a position to determine the best option for the jetty.”

Mr Howson said his company had a good working relationship with the City and hoped to reach a positive outcome for all parties.