Archived page, Submission - Proposed Demolition of the Carnarvon Prawning Jetty

24th November 2003

Recfishwest is Western Australia's peak recreational and sportfishing body. It represents the interests of more than 600,000 Western Australians who go fishing and is recognised in this capacity by the Government of Western Australia, the WA Department of Fisheries and other government departments and authorities.

Recfishwest is very concerned at the increasing tendency of local and state authorities to remove, based on cost and/or safety grounds, land based access facilities such as jetties and wharves that have outlived their original purposes. The few structures remaining in Western Australia are highly valued by our constituency, local stakeholders and tourists alike. Accordingly we are dismayed at the proposal, subject to further consultation through the Carnarvon Heritage Group, to demolish the prawning jetty.

We note that the August minutes of the Council report that "the prawning jetty is an important asset for recreational fishing and is widely used by locals and visitors" Further, that "the jetty is listed on the Shire's Municipal Heritage Inventory and its significance relates to it being a landmark and having played an important role in the town's development. The management recommendations are to provide maximum encouragement to conserve the structure".

In particular, we are concerned that demolition will very adversely impact on the elderly or infirm who, through mobility problems, are not able to take advantage of the long jetty and who very much value the relatively easy access afforded by the prawning jetty.

Recfishwest initially believed the decision to demolish the jetty had been taken due to significant maintenance costs associated with the iconic long jetty, leaving limited funds available for maintenance of the prawning jetty. However a search of your website reveals annual expenditure of only $10,000 for the long jetty. We envisage the maintenance cost for the prawning jetty would be considerably less. Recfishwest believes the prawning jetty is well worth maintaining, given the importance of this facility to the local business community, the long term benefits which its maintenance provides and the economic and social impact should it again fall into neglect.

Therefore we ask that the Council reconsider its decision with a view to preserving the prawning jetty. Recfishwest would be happy to publicise a favourable outcome.

We would also be happy to engage in discussions to this end or could refer you to the Carnarvon Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee for their advice.



This page last updated on 29 January 2004.