Opening of wind-resistant jetty at Exmouth

12/10/93

Special engineering technology has been incorporated in the Bundegi jetty design at Exmouth to counter the forces of nature.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton, who officially opened the jetty at a small ceremony in the town today, said the structure had been specifically designed to withstand strong winds and tidal movements.

The head of the jetty, more than 40 metres offshore, contains tidal lift panels.

"These are designed to take the impact of tidal surges, rather than the jetty pylons and structure," Mr Charlton said.

"Without the panels, over a period of time the pylons and jetty structure would be raised by the strong tidal movements that are endemic to this region.

"Bundegi is also built on a 15 degree, north-easterly angle so it does not take the full impact of wave and wind patterns from the north west."

The Bundegi jetty was a joint project between the Exmouth Shire Council and the Department of Marine and Harbours, which shared the construction cost of $150,000.

Work involved attaching 38 metres of new steel piles and timber decking to the original jetty structure built in the early 1980s.

The improved facility had made it easier for commercial and private vessels to refuel and take on passengers.

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