Archived page, Submissions - Preservation of Learmonth Jetty

4th November 2004

For many years the Learmonth jetty has been a landmark for recreational fishers in the Exmouth Gulf region. The Learmonth jetty represents the only platform south of the Exmouth township that provides shore-based recreational anglers with safe access to deeper water and the various species that can be found there. The jetty provides an easily accessible and stable platform that is patronised annually by many senior and junior anglers holidaying in the region.

Recfishwest supports the foresight of the Shire of Exmouth in its bid to restore this historically important icon and its plan to allow safer access for disabled anglers. We applaud your willingness to take responsibility for the restoration and future management of the jetty, particularly in the face of the proposed demolition of this valuable landmark.

There are so few fishing platforms in the Gascoyne that provide access for the elderly or disabled that any further loss would have a significant impact on local tourism. We understand that the Department of Planning and Infrastructure has set aside funds for the demolition of the Learmonth jetty. The impact of this demolition would be felt by future generations, as the structure is highly unlikely to be built again.

Recfishwest is forwarding a copy of this letter to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan so that she is aware of the importance which recreational fishers place on the retention and maintenance of this fishing platform. We will be asking that the funds allocated for demolition be made available to the Shire of Exmouth to restore and maintain this jetty assuming the request will be made to the Hon Alannah MacTiernan.



This page last updated on 29 December 2003.