Thevenard, SA’s busiest regional port, in line for $15m upgrade

A $15 million jetty revamp will provide a huge boost for the Ceduna community, following a year of uncertainty over the future of the state’s busiest regional port.

The Port of Thevenard, near Ceduna, is in line for a $15 million jetty upgrade.

• Jobs gone as Ceduna’s Thevenard Port closes for urgent repairs
• Ceduna, Robe community paramedics safe for another year
• Cashless welfare card must stay: Ceduna mayor

A $15 million jetty revamp will provide a huge boost for the Ceduna community, following a year of uncertainty over the future of the state’s busiest regional port.

Flinders Ports has lodged plans to overhaul a 235m section of the 1919-built Port Thevenard Jetty, after it had deteriorated so badly the port was shut for several months while remedial works were carried out.

Ceduna Mayor Perry Will said the upgrade gave long-term security to locals, including many who relied on the port for work, or for transporting their produce.

“In the past, there were rumours that the port was in such a bad condition that if they didn’t repair it they’d let it go,” Mr Will said.

“We’re still basically a farming community and if they had to take their grain to Port Lincoln it would be uneconomical for the farmers to be here.

“I’ve spoken to a few and they’re over the moon.”

The port shut down in July last year following concerns over safety at the jetty, which supports Viterra’s ship loading conveyor belt.

At the time, locals described the move as “catastrophic”.

“When you see the thing close down and it affects about 200 families in the area, it’s a big concern,” Mr Will said.

“But (now) it looks like they’re doing a fairly big job of it so it should be great for the community.”

Flinders Ports is planning to spend $15 million on an upgrade to the Port Thevenard Jetty.

Thevenard is SA’s busiest regional port, with 155 ships berthed there in the 12 months to September.

It’s used to export gypsum, mineral sands, grain and salt.

Anthony Nicholls, who farms wheat, barley and oats near Ceduna, said the area was “like a ghost town” when the port temporarily closed last year,

He said the jetty’s upgrade was “a shot in the arm for the district” and hoped it would eventually lead to the channel being deepened, making way for larger ships.

A report to the State Commission Assessment Panel said the works were required because the 360m-long jetty’s concrete section was condemned last year.

“The scope of the works proposed … are considered to be essential maintenance, required to ensure the safe, ongoing operation of the facility and have a time urgency due to the current state,” the report said.

“The existing concrete jetty cannot be rehabilitated and therefore requires systematic demolition and reconstruction in order to minimise the risk of future uncontrolled collapse.”

Whales, seals, sharks and shorebirds lived in the area and the project would result in “some minor disturbance” to animals during construction due to noise and water turbidity.

However, the report said the project would not have a “significant impact” on any protect habitat or fauna.

A company spokeswoman said the works would take about 6-9 months.

“Flinders Ports will be minimising operational disruptions as much as possible, utilising planned maintenance periods to carry out works to the jetty during those times, and to work around operational requirements at other times,” she said.

“The restoration follows the remedial works that were carried out in 2017, and will maintain the health of the jetty and ensure that the jetty will continue to be a stable and safe piece of infrastructure for the community into the future.”

The spokeswoman said the 2017 works included the installation of eight new piles and four new column supports, and partial demolition of the concrete jetty.

[e-mail]