RAPID BAY - Rapid Bay’s long awaited new $3.9 million jetty is emerging from the waters of Gulf St Vincent.

About one-third of the pylon works are now complete, with construction expected to be finished by the end of the year.

The project director, Rob Jenkins, said the jetty’s completion date would depend on the weather.

“We’ve made terrific progress to date but do need the weather to do the right thing as we move toward construction of the deeper water section.

“This is complex work and it is difficult enough without the rough weather that can impact this part of South Australia,” he said.

“Hopefully we get calm conditions and everything is finished by the end of the year.”

Based on progress to date, Mr Jenkins estimates that, either way, the jetty should be completed then or thereabouts.

Rated as one of the country’s top fishing and diving spots, access to most of the damaged existing jetty was closed in December 2004.

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) announced plans to build a new structure in September 2006, after the local community rallied for the jetty’s future.

The new 240-metre long jetty will feature solar lighting as well as stairs and platforms for divers, who are attracted to the spot for the rich diversity of marine life supported by the old jetty, including the rare Leafy Seadragon

Glenice Galbraith of the Friends of Rapid Bay Jetty said the completion of the jetty by Christmas would be an extra bonus for the district.

“I can’t imagine the scope the jetty could create,” she said.

“I hope it will create extra jobs because that’s what this has all been about, but we will all have something to enjoy too.

“It has been slowly but surely coming along…I’ve been getting more and more excited as each pylon goes up.”

Between now and the end of the year, work will continue on assembling pylons and crossheads onshore before they are lifted by crane and hammered into place using a 12 tonne piling hammer.

In the meantime, the State Government is reminding fishers and divers that the existing jetty is closed.

Source : Victor Harbour The Times