Repairs Planned for Hamelin Bay Jetty

The historic Hamelin Bay jetty ruins will undergo structural repairs, with works planned to begin early next month.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said a decision to repair the deteriorating and unsound structure was made following community feedback and advice from a timber specialist.

“There was strong support from the public through the consultation process for the ruins to be kept and repaired,” Mr Jacob said.

“The Department of Parks and Wildlife has also consulted with the Heritage Council of WA and it is supportive of the proposed works.

“The timber specialist provided advice about how the ruins could be repaired and the materials that could be used.

“As a result, aged timbers, which the department is now sourcing, will be used to replace the four cross beams.”

There will be strengthening works using stainless steel rods, and a single pile will be jacketed with a polycarbonate sleeve, within the intertidal zone of the beach.

Hamelin Bay jetty was built in 1881-82 by the M.C. Davies timber company and was extended to a length of around 500 metres in 1898 to load ships exporting karri and other WA hardwoods.

A railway ran the entire length of the jetty where cranes would unload the timbers directly from the carriages onto the waiting ships. Its use began to diminish around 1913 as fewer ships serviced Hamelin Bay.

In 1921, fire destroyed much of the jetty, and in 1961 a severe storm destroyed most of the remaining structure. All that remains at the shore line are eight piles and six cross-beams.

Press Release