Final plans for $50m Mandorah Jetty rebuild released, as govt says it expects the project to be completed by end of 2022

FINAL plans for the long-awaited rebuild of Mandorah Jetty have been released, after original designs were taken back to the drawing board because of projected cost blowouts and lack of disability access.

Mandorah Jetty, which was built in the 1960s and is a survivor of Cyclone Tracy, is due to undergo a major facelift. Picture: Aaron Burton

FINAL plans for the long-awaited rebuild of Mandorah Jetty have been released, after original designs were taken back to the drawing board because of projected cost blowouts and lack of disability access.

To fix the disability access compliance issues, engineers have lowered the height of the floating pontoon.

To solve the issue of potentially having to fork out more than the $50m that had been set aside, the government will undertake “value engineering” to “deliver the project within budget”.

Mandorah Jetty, built in the 1960s and a survivor of Cyclone Tracy, has been in a state of disrepair for years with temporary fixes that included holding together parts with zip ties.

The NT government has proposed a $50m rebuild of the jetty, throwing in a breakwater with access for recreational anglers and improved car and trailer parking.

Design plans for the $50m rebuild of the Mandorah Jetty. Picture: Supplied

Original designs had to be taken back to the drawing board in August partly because the government found adding public access to the groyne structures “meant expansion of project scope with estimates exceeding the available budget”.

The feature remains in the new design.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said the construction tender for the project, which is set to create 270 jobs, will be released in mid-2021.

Ms Lawler said the project would be complete by the end of 2022.

The Department of Infrastructure and Planning’s website has the expected completion date as 2024, weather permitting.

Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler and Recreational Fishing Minister Paul Kirby with design plans for the $50m rebuild of the Mandorah Jetty. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

Wagait Beach Progress Association spokesman Darryl Withnall said locals, during an update a few weeks ago, were also told 2024 by the department.

Mr Withnall said vehicle access to the outer groyne, while good for anglers, felt “superfluous” particularly as the project would now take longer.

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Recreational Fishing Minister Paul Kirby said the jetty was considered one of the top land-based fishing destinations in the Territory.

“It will be a wonderful addition … for people that don’t have boats to be able to catch the ferry … to be able to wet a line,” he said.

Originally published as Final plans for $50m Mandorah Jetty rebuild released, as govt says it expects the project to be completed by end of 2022