The long-anticipated tender to construct the new Warneet jetties was officially released in April, with the selection of a construction partner to be finalised late this year.
According to Parks Victoria, the tender package includes the jetty designs developed by Better Boating Victoria and an additional set of designs providing a second option. The second option has been developed to ensure the project can progress to construction without delay, depending on market conditions.
“Key design elements of the jetties include a pontoon for Warneet South Jetty and a low landing for Warneet North Jetty,” it stated.
“During the planning stages, we’ve heard strong community support for safety. Accordingly, both jetties will feature handrails and solar lighting to allow use at night and early in the morning.
“Lighting installations have been designed to illuminate the pier walkway for pedestrian safety while minimising impact on underwater life.”
As for Warneet South Jetty, both designs propose a 200-metre-long jetty with steel piles, handrails, solar lighting, and a floating pontoon. The alternative option proposes a timber deck and a smaller pontoon which will reinstate the jetty’s berthing capacity. The initial design includes a concrete deck and provides increased berthing capacity.
Both designs for Warneet North Jetty include a jetty wider than the existing one, with steel piles, handrails, solar lighting, and a low landing. The initial design proposes a 76-metre-long jetty, with a timber deck on a timber substructure. The alternative option proposes a jetty the same length as the current structure, with decking made of sturdy Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) mesh on a durable steel substructure.
As part of the tender process, design drawings are being prepared for the community to better understand how the new jetties will look.
Construction will commence once final permits and approvals are completed.
The two jetties secured about $10 million in the State budget last year after about three years of advocacy in the local community.
The North Jetty was closed in June 2020 due to safety concerns, and the South Jetty was completely shut by Parks Victoria on 20 September 2022.
