Jetty plan for and angst

• Is there to be a new dawn for Bridport wharf?

By Tony Scott,
MAY 26, 2021

There’s been a generally muted response to publication of parts of the Bridport Foreshore Master Plan in last week’s Advertiser.

The yet to be released plan was finalised in November 2019 but has been shelved, apparently due to differences between Marine and Safety Tasmania, which commissioned the $250,000 report by Burbury Consulting, and Dorset Council.

Although there were no responses to a draft plan made available to members of a working group in July 2019 the Council did not support the final version.

In a commercial radio interview the Mayor, Greg Howard, said the council’s view had been made clear throughout the process.

“We said the priorities were all wrong.”

Councillor Howard said a principal objection was for the Council to take on any responsibility for a  new jetty next to the Old Pier.

He argues such a structure would require maintenance over time and have a huge impact on the Council’s depreciation schedule.

“Jetties don’t attract people to places they just give them something else to do while they’re there.

“You might get a few people walk out on the jetty to try to catch a fish, but there are no fish in the bay anyway,” Councillor Howard told the Tasmania Talks radio program.

However, a long-time supporter of a jetty and working group member Rob Perkins took issue with the remarks.

“He’s just too negative.

“We’ve looked at piers and jetties right around Australia and there’s no question they’re a benefit to the places where they’re built.”

Mr Perkins said he was excited when the Premier Peter Gutwein announced a $5 million promise for MAST before the State election, with more than half of it to be spent on a new jetty and improved boat ramp.

“We’ve been working away on this for 10 years and it’s about time some one got on and built something.”

The Master Plan has been used as the basis for the $5 million pledge, which includes some funding for a study into the proposal to excavate a new entrance to the Bridport estuary.

The new entry, rock groynes, an outer wharf and new marina were costed in the Master Plan at more than $35million.

Councillor Howard said the ambitious proposal should be the main priority because of its commercial trade and fishing potential.

Mr Perkins on the other hand believes that’s a very long shot of success.

“Until they figure out what they’re going to do with acid sands in the riverbed it’s not going to happen.”

Another community member of the working group, Louise Brooker, said the work and studies proposed were fine but if the Council wanted changes to the final report due process should be followed.