New jetty a first for Victoria

Swan Bay’s new boat-ramp landing jetty is a first for Victoria’s sensitive marine environment as it is built without any timber. As a result it's expected to last long past the typical 20-year lifespan of a traditional timber jetty, with minimal maintenance.

Chief Ranger for Port Phillip and Western Port, Graeme Davis said boating enthusiasts gave the new $135,000 landing jetty a good workout over Easter, enjoying the safe and easy access it provides to the water for vessels up to five metres in length: "What makes the new structure unique is its use of recycled steel railway lines as piles, structural fibreglass beams and non-slip fibreglass decking," he said.

"There is literally nothing that can rot on the new jetty -- it's held together with anti-rust stainless-steel bolts and aluminium plates. The extra financial outlay on the long-lasting materials is expected to give a good return to the boating public and the environment over the years ahead.

"Parks Victoria manages 41 piers and jetties around the Bays, with maintenance a constant battle. Although, fibreglass isn’t going to be suitable in all locations, Swan Bay’s new landing jetty will set the standard for other smaller structures built over coming years," said Mr Davis.

The new landing jetty runs along the entire length of the existing 15-metre boat ramp and then extends four metres into the water, providing mooring for four small craft.

Works on the new landing jetty started in late February and were completed on time ahead of Easter by contractor GTK Constructions.

The new fibreglass landing jetty was supported by a grant of $94,860 from the Boating Safety and Facilities Program (BSFP). The BSFP is funded from a portion of the revenue generated from recreational boat operator license and vessel registration fees.