Fisherman's Jetty

Background

Fisherman’s Jetty is a Council-owned boat mooring facility on the Port Pirie River. It is located to the rear of the seafood processing and retail business, SD Caputo and Sons on Main Road, Solomontown.

The Jetty forms part of Port Pirie’s marine network, in the recreational and commercial fishing hub. The Jetty provides an important visual aspect to the area and is considered by many locals as a symbolic structure of Ports Pirie’s proud fishing history.

The Port Pirie Fisherman’s Jetty consists of a fixed Jetty, configured in an ‘F’ shaped arrangement, supporting 40 potential boat moorings, including temporary positions. Larger boats moor directly adjacent to the Jetty, while smaller boats use the mooring piles, which are approximately 6m apart. There are currently 26 boat mooring permits in place.

The jetty is in an advanced state of degradation and is load limited to vessels under 6m in length.

A previous condition report completed by MACE Engineering Services completed in 2015 identified extensive repair and maintenance works to be completed on the jetty over a period of 10 years. This included critical works to secure the structural integrity of the jetty which have not been completed to date.

Furthermore, the low lease fees, combined with the poor state of the facilities have attracted undesirable activity, nuisance activities and derelict vessels, all of which are undesirable for council, and the Port Pirie community more generally.

Port Pirie Regional Council have recently sought the community’s input into the options being considered for the replacement or upgrade of Fisherman’s Jetty.