The announcement that One Mile Jetty is to close indefinitely has caught many by surprise. The 120-year-old jetty is one of Carnarvon’s main tourist attractions. The decision to close the tourist spot came following an investigation by the Gascoyne Development Commission. The report concluded that the wooden structure was dangerous and unsafe for pedestrians. The jetty is not expected to reopen until funding can be secured for completion of maintenance and repair work.
The original cost of repairing the structure was estimated at around $5 million but it has now blown out to over $40 million. Despite a Go Fund Me campaign, the fate of the jetty is unsure.
Tourism Regroup
One of the most memorable experiences visiting Carnarvon was riding the Coffee Pot Train along the One Mile Jetty. The announcement that the jetty will be closed indefinitely is not only a shock to tourism but to the many who have ridden or walked the rickety old timbers.
Despite the announcement Tom Day from the Carnarvon Heritage Group remains optimistic “We have saved the jetty once before and in the interest of Carnarvon, the history and connection that thousands of people have with this significant piece of infrastructure, we will do all we can to retain it for future generations,”