Media response - Port Noarlunga jetty safety

Published on 31 May 2024

Response to Channel 9.

• The journalist asked for a statement about the injuries suffered by a woman who reportedly tripped on the Port Noarlunga jetty.

Comments attributed to CEO Phu Nguyen

We were saddened to hear about Susan’s fall and our thoughts are with her as she recovers from her injuries.

Like most South Australian jetties, the 1921-built Port Noarlunga jetty is owned by the state government, but the council is responsible for maintenance under a lease agreement.

It’s an old timber structure that continually shifts, moves and sways in the ocean environment, and as a result its timber boards become uneven and trip hazards can emerge.

For this reason, we have a dedicated maintenance crew that checks the jetty each Monday, often tightening bolts and screws in the timber boards, repairing handrails and replacing boards as needed.

In My 2023, we replaced 160 timber boards at a cost of $130,000 starting from the landward end of the jetty. We’re required to use raw timber because the jetty is under state heritage protection, and these boards have natural variations in thickness and dimensions.

Even with new timber boards, the deck will inherently contain some unevenness due to the movement of the structure.

For the above reasons, we encourage everyone to be mindful when walking on the jetty and we have installed signage to warn the public of trip hazards.

We’re currently undertaking an engineering inspection on the jetty, which will determine the extent of future structural works and board replacement for the next 10 years. We’re also currently repairing the middle timber stairs and dive platform after they were damaged after a major storm in 2023.

With our lease due for renewal in 2027, we’re calling for more investment from the state government moving forward to work with us to maintain the much-loved jetty, meet the community’s expectations, and reduce the financial burden on ratepayers.

ENDS