Port Germein jetty needs up to $20m keep it open for future generations

The longest jetty in South Australia is at risk of closing unless governments dig deep to fund a multimillion-dollar repair bill.

It’s a long walk to the end of the Port Germein Jetty – but not quite as long as it used to be.

At more than 1500m, it’s still the longest jetty in SA, even though the final 130m has been closed for the past three years.

The jetty has been a focal point for the Upper Spencer Gulf town since 1881, but locals fear it is in danger of falling into the ocean after decades of neglect have left it with a repair bill that could hit $20m.

Mount Remarkable Mayor Stephen McCarthy says the future of the historic jetty is at risk and has urged the State Government to dig deep into its coffers at this year’s June State Budget.

“The situation is critical,” Mr McCarthy says.

“We have two portions, one that failed many, many years ago where the lighthouse was. And then we’ve got this other portion that this council has had to close off.

“And there are critical repairs that need to be undertaken on the remaining part of the jetty.”

Mr McCarthy says the council is in “constructive and robust” talks with representatives from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport but his council cannot afford to pay 50 per cent of a multimillion-dollar repair bill.

Port Germein Progress Association president Chris Pole. Picture Dean Martin

Mount Remarkable council did not apply to be part of a $10m pool the government distributed from its jetties renewal fund announced in last year’s state budget.

“We encourage very strongly the State Government to give us priority in the 2024-25 State Budget and allocate appropriate funds to ensure the benefit this jetty brings for both our communities and wider communities across the state,” Mr McCarthy says. “We need every bit of assistance we can get – it’s vitally important.”

A government spokesman says the department “remains open to discussing potential co-funding solutions” to repair the jetty.

There are 75 state-owned jetties in South Australia, 36 of which, including Port Germein, are leased back to local government on long-term contracts on the condition the councils pay for their maintenance. The Port Germein lease runs out in 2027.

The jetty’s listing on the state’s heritage register means any material used in repairs needs to match the existing structure, so replacement pylons or beams need to be wooden rather than potential cheaper options such as plastic or concrete.

Port Germein Progress Association president Chris Pole says the jetty had long been a centrepiece and meeting point for residents throughout the district.

Chris Pole with his grandchildren, twins Jack, and Leo, 5, and Alice, 2. Picture Dean Martin

Mr Pole is one of four generations of his family who meet the Sunday Mail at low tide for a photo shoot and we drive our cars onto the sand to the jetty’s first set of stairs.

“It’s a pretty unique spot – you can walk out a kilometre and a half into the water when the tide is in and just be completely surrounded by water while you are watching the sun go down,” he says. “And it doesn’t cost you anything to go and do. It’s pretty spectacular.

“It’s very, very important to our local area, but it’s not just for locals. I know of people from Peterborough, for instance who will travel over and go fishing off the jetty and sometimes they just come down for a walk out on the jetty, especially late in the evening.”

Mr Pole says visitors were often disappointed the end of the jetty was closed off and the impact on the town – if the jetty was to close completely – would be “major”.

His parents Graham and Judy are equally emphatic.

“I think it would devastate the community and stop a lot of the tourists from coming in,” Graham says.

Chris Pole, left, with the Pole clan at the jetty, including his dad, Graham, mum, Judy, wife Michele, sons, Lachlan and David (Diesel), daughter Ellen, daughter-in-law Briony and grandkids, twins Jack and Leo, 5, and Alice, 2. Picture Dean Martin

“If you were to sit here in the morning and see the people that come from the park, and walk up the jetty, just for a look – and that’s without those who go fishing and crabbing and swimming.”

Graham Pole’s great grandchildren Jack, Leo and Alice play in the shallows under the jetty as we speak, just as he and his friends once did more than 70 years ago – and as generations more have done since it opened more than 140 years ago.

“Every community sees their jetty as important to them,” Chris Pole says. “I think with this one, because of its historical factor … I believe that gives it a little bit more credence. And its size means it’s not your average jetty, either.”