Geraldton Jetty: Council vote to set aside $50k for business case and write to other governments for funding

Jetty advocates have convinced the City of Greater Geraldton council to set aside $50,000 for a business case outlining the impacts and costs of building the structure, while State and Federal governments will be contacted over funding the project. A petition signed by 711 people was presented to the council in November asking for $200,000 to fund preliminary studies into the construction of a jetty at Midalia Beach. At the council meeting on Tuesday, councillors voted instead to allocate $50,000 towards a business case outlining associated costs of building and maintaining a jetty and how the project might affect the community. The motion also requires the CEO to contact State and Federal governments to gauge their interest in financially supporting the project before more money is put aside. Councillor Steve Cooper said there was too much emotion and not enough facts to have an informed debate and a balanced business case needed to be undertaken to determine the project viability. “(The City) can only fund so many projects . . . the jetty will no doubt cost the City millions,” he said. Councillor Simon Keemink said he doubted the council would fund a jetty and the project needed to be undertaken in a pragmatic way. “This is a middle ground alternative motion,” he said. “I especially think we need to move forward with this.” “No one knows what this is going to cost … this is a way forward to start looking into it.” Deputy Mayor Natasha Colliver said without the business case and funding from the State or Federal government, the project wouldn’t go ahead, while Councillor Kim Parker said ratepayers could be looking at paying an extra $1500 a year in rates to cover its costs if the council did fund the project. Coastal consultants have given the council a rough estimate that a jetty would likely cost around $20 million. The motion was carried 8-3.