Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP welcomes the announced funding for Yorke Peninsula jetties from the SA Jetties Renewal Program, with the Narungga electorate receiving almost $4.2 million from the available program pool of $10 million over four years.
“It is wonderful that the Government have put some funds toward jetty restoration and excellent that our electorate has received the biggest share of that initial funding", Mr Ellis said.
“Jetties are absolutely critical for our recreation, fishing and tourism sectors thus I welcome any funding for their maintenance.
"That said, whilst this is a good start I am fearful that this initial tranche will not be enough to get the job done and that significantly more will be needed to tackle the overdue maintenance and pylon replacements needed on multiple jetties in our region.
“If that’s the case then more must be provided because so many coastal communities need their jetty to thrive,” Mr Ellis said.
The Yorke Peninsula Council received $3.5 million for its Piling Program (to potentially include Ardrossan, Port Victoria, Edithburgh and Stansbury jetties) and a further $197,000 to repair Port Vincent Fisherman's Jetty.
Additionally, Copper Coast Council has been allocated $491,000 for Port Hughes jetty.
The South Australia Jetties Renewal Program is part of a $20 million investment to improve the condition and sustainability of jetties, reopening them and keeping them open to locals and visitors for years to come.
As part of the program, the State Government has allocated $10 million over four years for divested jetties (owned by the State but leased to council) of which there are 35 in the State across multiple council areas.
In the recently announced funding, some 10 jetty projects in six council areas have been offered support, including the above projects in the Narungga electorate, along with Port Lincoln Town Jetty ($380,000), Port Elliot Jetty ($174,000), Kingston Jetty ($2.870,000), and Tumby Bay Jetty Renewal ($2.4 million).
Councils to receive funding are to contribute financially to their project on a 50/50 split and agree to accept an extension to their lease arrangements.