Geraldton jetty project at standstill after lack of investment from State, Federal political parties

A jetty in Geraldton appears to be at a standstill after it was revealed there has been a lack of political support for the project.

In November last year, the City of Greater Geraldton council decided to write to each of the candidates for the seat of Geraldton at the State election and the seat of Durack at the Federal level to determine if funding for a jetty would be considered.

A $50,000 business case prepared for the project outlined three options: a $12 million 125m jetty at Midalia’s Beach, a $12m 125m jetty at the Durlacher Street groyne near Dome Cafe, and a $24m 125m jetty extending outwards from a walkway between the groynes at Midalia’s Beach.

It was revealed at Tuesday’s council meeting there had been a lack of interest in funding the construction of the jetty from the State and Federal level.

At the State level, the Liberal Party pledged $12m to build the jetty, but the party failed to form Government at March’s election.

On the Federal level, Liberal MP Melissa Price has long advocated for a Geraldton-based jetty but the party did not make a pledge to construct it should it win the election.

Ms Price confirmed to the Geraldton Guardian she would push for further discussions about Federal funding if she was re-elected and if the Coalition formed Government.

A council motion to note the actions and responses of candidates and to receive the financial modelling as applied to the business case was moved by Cr Peter Fiorenza.

He said city staff had done as requested, which set the platform for the council to consider whether or not to move forward with the project.

Cr Steve Cooper said he believed it was not appropriate to continue to go ahead with the project at this stage given the lack of financial backing and more discussions needed to be held.

Cr Aaron Horsman proposed that if the original motion failed $50,000 be put in the 2025-26 capital works program to progress to a site selection study.

He said a big section of the community had got the project this far and it should continue.

Cr Victor Tanti said it was positive to get the numbers but the costs didn’t include the extras required to make the jetty “people-friendly”.

“We’ve gone as far as we can with this at this time,” he said.

Cr Fiorenza said if the project was to progress, it would likely result in a rate rise.

The original motion was passed 9-1.