Nature & Environment
Historic
heart and soul
Busselton Jetty is the iconic structure that defines the town, and represents the resilience, invention and long-term vision of this part of the world. By TOM DE SOUZA.
I
t isn’t just the second longest jetty in the world that the timber piles beneath the Busselton Jetty support; they’re also the fundamental pillars of the community itself. Busselton Jetty has been around almost as long as the township. It has survived fires, cyclones, storms, and demolition plans to become one of the most recognised landmarks in Western Australia, and undoubtedly, the jewel in Busselton’s crown. Busselton Jetty CEO Lisa Shreeve says Busselton Jetty is the lifeblood of the community, and an invaluable source of millions of dollars to the region. “It’s a symbol of community spirit and resilience when people fight for something they want,” she says. “It really is idyllic and those that move to Busselton appreciate just as much as those who were born here. The jetty is one of the world’s top-10 shore dive sites, we have thousands that snorkel here every summer, swim, and now even do yoga on it. What better place to enjoy recreational pursuits than somewhere with a 360-degree view of the ocean? It’s calming and makes you feel good. I think that is incredibly
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important in 2018 when we are all leading such busy lives.” Built in 1865, the Busselton Jetty serviced ships trading between the south west and the Swan Colony. It was a lifeline; corn and vegetables went north and building supplies came south. As the colony grew, more foodstuffs were exported and international routes opened up. Potatoes were a major export, along with local timber. There were no permanent longshoremen on the jetty. Instead, local farmers and, in particular, group settlers topped up their income by labouring when the ships arrive. Then steam powered engines replaced sail boats, and the jetty had to be extended into deeper water until it reached its present length of just under 2km. Eight separate extensions were completed between 1872 and 1896, and a ‘skeleton jetty’ a 166m east of the existing jetty enabled steam engines to travel further along the jetty with their loads of coal, timber, and potatoes. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, the jetty was a paradoxical place of recreation and work. The sheltered waters are perfect for a casual swim, building a sandcastle, promenading,
ALL ABOARD Above, Busselton Jetty is a charming place to spend a day, taking a ride on the train along the jetty itself. Right, volunteer Tasy Richards.
fishing, or participating in a hard-fought competition, such as the Busselton Jetty Swim. The arrival of the modern era meant a decline in the use of rail transport for passenger travel and goods, and in 1972 the jetty was officially closed as a shipping port. By then, the Busselton jetty was in dire need of repair, even before the major damage inflicted by Cyclone