$3 million in jetty funding to stimulate Geraldton tourism

The WA Government is boosting boating and tourism infrastructure in the regions, with an additional $3 million towards two new state-of-the-art, purpose-built tourism jetties at Geraldton.

Part of the WA Government’s $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan, a jetty for vessels up to 25 metres will be built at the Batavia Coast Marina and a second, to accommodate larger vessels, will be located at Geraldton Port’s eastern breakwater.

The jetties will be dedicated tourism facilities specifically designed for easy loading and unloading of passengers, and will assist commercial operators as they work to increase visits to the pristine Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park.

The new jetties, expected to generate an additional $1.9 million in annual visitor expenditure by 2031, will also support other local marine-based tourism opportunities including fishing and diving charters, glass bottom boat tours, whale watching, aquaculture farm and maritime history tours.

Detailed design of the jetties is progressing and construction will commence next year (2021), supporting local jobs and providing opportunities for small businesses.

A working group including representatives from the Mid West Development Commission, City of Greater Geraldton, Mid West Ports Authority, Department of Transport, WA Museum Geraldton and Geraldton Yacht Club championed the project and helped secure funding.

Source: WA Government