COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON THE KINGSTON JETTY
MEDIA RELEASE - 2 AUGUST 2021
Photo - Mayor Kay Rasheed and CEO Nat Traeger pictured at the Kingston Jetty.
Kingston District Council has considered a Technical Note prepared by coastal engineers for a ‘partial breakwater’ removal concept in continuation of the Maria Creek Sustainable Infrastructure Project. This was in response to the Council’s ‘in-principle’ position that it does not proceed with the reinstatement of the Maria Creek Boat Launching Facility on the basis that its ratepayers were not willing to pay significantly increased rates to meet the ongoing cost of the facility.
Mayor Kay Rasheed acknowledged that it has been a complicated and lengthy process to come to this position, but it’s been done with a high level of due diligence and transparency. “The Business Case clearly stated that the reinstatement option would have a significant detrimental impact on Council’s financial sustainability without an increase in Council rates or a decrease in existing services”.
“The key findings of the Technical Note are that the partial removal of the breakwater comes at significant capital and ongoing costs, compared to the do-nothing concept”, the Mayor said.
“There would be a capital cost of $1.2m to remove the offshore portion of the breakwater and a three-fold increase in the annual sand and wrack management costs within the Maria Creek”.
When considering these costs and the potential for minimal reduced beach width of 45m at the jetty, compared to an increase in beach width of up to 25m for the do-nothing concept, Council will not be looking to remove or adjust the breakwater, with the exception of minor repairs, for the foreseeable future.
Another emerging factor is some findings of the recently adopted Coastal Adaptation Strategy which indicates various risks to erosion and flooding due to sea level rise. The sand accumulation adjacent the southern breakwater is providing an additional buffer zone for future storm events.
However, Council will continue its focus on the bigger picture, which includes a jetty that services the community and visitors and create opportunities to activate the area in the vicinity of the Maria Creek facility.
This will include a condition assessment and scope of works for the Kingston Jetty which comes at a cost of $63,100 and includes above water structural assessment as well as a diver’s inspection for the underwater components.
Once armed with detailed design drawings, it is anticipated that these will become part of planning for an exciting new concept, which will explore a foreshore precinct development, including rejuvenation of the Lions Park, whilst considering innovative linkages to the jetty area. Mayor Rasheed said, “it is anticipated that linking it to the jetty precinct will improve its amenity and activate the foreshore and jetty area, as well as being more appealing to potential funding partners”.
Work on Stage 1 of the Kingston Jetty condition assessment is expected to commence mid-August, with Stage 2 being a scope of works to be finalised by the end of September 2021.
- ENDS -
Contact:
Nat Traeger
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | KINGSTON DISTRICT COUNCIL
Phone: 08 8767 2033 | E: ceo@kingstondc.sa.gov.au