Local Government
Busselton
Region
South West
2 Queen St Busselton
Busselton
South West
Constructed from 1911, Constructed from 1865
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
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State Register | Registered | 22 Nov 2013 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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(no listings) |
Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
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Category | Description | ||||
Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 03 Jul 1978 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Statewide Lge Timber Str Survey | Completed | 11 Dec 1998 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Port-related Structures Survey | Completed | 31 Oct 1995 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 28 Sep 1982 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 20 Jun 1996 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
Busselton Jetty has cultural heritage significance as an early Western Australian timber structure and important relic of Busselton’s early past and its important connections with the timber industry. It is also important as the longest jetty constructed in the southern hemisphere, as a regional landmark and a popular tourist and recreation facility. Busselton Jetty contributes to the community’s sense of place.
A long timber construction jetty with some concrete repair sections. It is said to be longest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Busselton Jetty is over 1,800m long, with a rail viaduct of 653m joining it midway. Since it’s re-opening a number of new facilities have been added including the new structures at the land base end and underwater viewing facilities. A typical jetty section consists of timber piles, half caps, corbel beams and timber decking. The decking has been replaced with concrete, and a metal balustrade has been added to the west side of the jetty. The retail outlets are located on the east side of the jetty and have been designed in a nostalgic form of beach side bathing houses. Horse drawn trucks were used till 1900 before the railway line was introduced. Improved lighting came about in 1963 when the electric light globes were replaced by mercury vapour lights.
Busselton Jetty was constructed in stages from 1865 onwards to 1911 for the West Australian Timber Company.
Although declining in importance as a general transport route, coastal shipping still provided a vital link in Busselton’s transport, and this relied upon the Busselton Jetty. The original portion of the jetty was built in 1865 and, throughout the following 25 years, a total of 5919 feet was built. As an article in “The West Australian” in 1904 summarised: “At first glance, Busselton now impresses one merely as a delightful holiday resort, with its immense seafront, its long stretch of beach, and its caves . . . but Busselton and those connected with trade believe in its future material prosperity. With the improved outlet for trade which is now in course of progress, it promises to be a big factor contributing to the development of one of the most important of the State’s”. In 1911, a railway spur line to the jetty was erected to cope with the traffic from the large timber export trade from the hinterland. It was the longest jetty to be constructed in the southern hemisphere. One of Busselton’s main town features is its jetty. With the closure of the port in 1972, maintenance on the jetty ceased.
In 1978, Cyclone Alby demolished the promenade section of the jetty and caused extensive damage to the rest of the structure. The town was essentially deprived of a popular tourist attraction. In October 1987, the people of Busselton formed the Busselton Jetty Preservation Committee to accept the huge responsibility of raising funds to restore the jetty. Together with the State Government, they have raised over $1,500,000. Repairs and renovations to the narrow railway jetty, including decking and side railings, and maintenance to the main structure, made it safe for use by pedestrians and fishermen and, in March 1995, a new tourist train commenced running. In 1999 a fire damaged the jetty, cutting off access to the last 150 metres of the structure. The final stage of development was the construction of an under water observatory. The interpretative centre opened in 2001 and the jetty continues to be a popular destination. The observatory opened in 2003.
There is likely to be a good deal of seabed material in the vicinity of the jetty.
Integrity Notes: Although no longer a working jetty its use remains readily apparent. The place retains a high degree of integrity.
Authenticity Notes: The jetty has been subject to numerous repairs and maintenance programs as is typical of marine structures. Although the intent remains authentic, a good deal of the fabric is replacement.
High Degree/Moderate-High Degree
Fair-Good
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
---|---|---|---|
Busselton Historic Society;"Historic Busselton, 3rd edition" | January 1978 |
Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
---|---|---|---|
9251 | Reflections of the Jetty: The story of Busselton Jetty. | Book | 2005 |
2072 | Busselton foreshore development study. | Book | 1989 |
7189 | Very much on watch : the Percy Willmott photos : Augusta, Margaret River, Busselton 1901 - 1919. | Book | 2003 |
9198 | Busselton jetty. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2008 |
Historic site
Epoch | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Present Use | SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL | Other |
Original Use | Transport\Communications | Water: Jetty |
Type | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Other | TIMBER | Other Timber |
Other | CONCRETE | Other Concrete |
General | Specific |
---|---|
OCCUPATIONS | Timber industry |
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES | Tourism |
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Sport, recreation & entertainment |
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | River & sea transport |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.