Final phase funding for Busselton jetty

2/7/02
A long-held vision to restore and revitalise the historic Busselton jetty - the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere - will soon be achieved, with the announcement today of a $500,000 grant by the State Government.
The Minister for the South-West, Jim McGinty, said the grant would allow the Busselton Jetty Management Committee to complete the last phase of itslong-standing dream for the popular South-West landmark.
The grant will allow an access building to be built above the underwater observatory, which is currently under construction.
"The building will house up to 50 people and feature underwater video and information based on a nautical theme," Mr McGinty said.
"It will become the entry point to the new observatory."
The funding, presented by Mr McGinty and Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens in Busselton today, was made available from the Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Built in stages between 1865 and 1964, the two-kilometre-long Busselton jetty is one of the South-West's most popular tourist attractions.
Underneath the jetty is a unique marine ecosystem that includes spectacular corals and more than 300 individual underwater species.
To take advantage of this, a contract has been let to build a $2.5million underwater observatory for viewing. The project is expected to be completed by March 2003.
The jetty attracts around 200,000 visitors annually. It was threatened with demolition until 1987, when the Busselton Management Committee received the first of a number of grants for its preservation.
The Ministers commended the volunteers associated with the Busselton Management Committee for their outstanding contribution and hard work, and for maintaining a commitment to this project for more than 15 years.
Minister's office: 9220 5000