Jetty for Geraldton business case study begins investigating viability, location and cost of amenity

After years of campaigning, the City of Greater Geraldton is entertaining the dreams of the Jetty for Geraldton group by launching a business case study worth $50,000.

The group started campaigning in 2021, putting forward the idea of a public, multi-use jetty to be built in Geraldton, a concept that was met at the time with a reality check by city officials.

In November, the council received a petition at its ordinary meeting from the Jetty for Geraldton Community Group requesting the city commit $200,000 in funding for preliminary studies to establish a jetty at the end of the existing rock walls at Midalia Beach.

Councillors voted to commit $50,000 to the business case study at the December 2023 meeting.

City chief executive Ross McKim described the jetty as a “nice-to-have”.

Although it began as a grassroots push, the group garnered support from Durack MHR Melissa Price and former Geraldton mayor Shane Van Styn.

In 2021, group leader Mark O’Brien said if all went to plan, residents could be fishing off the new jetty in five years, which the group was hoping to place at the end of existing rock walls at Midalias beach.

City mayor Jerry Clune confirmed the business case study had begun and was being guided by an economic and demographic specialist, as well as a coastal engineering firm.

The business case will consider if there is a suitable location for a jetty in Geraldton, the economic impacts of the project on the local community and infrastructure, as well as the capital and maintenance costs on the city’s budget.

It will also assess whether or not the jetty will have an impact on the city’s ability to fund other projects.

“The first project workshop has been held to review and discuss the project needs, considerations and influences,” Mr Clune said.

“Potential options and development concepts as well as cost estimates will now be prepared for reporting back to council, with a view to being finalised in approximately three months.”