One of Perth’s most iconic fishing spots is set to receive an almost $10 million makeover to replace its renowned, but decaying, jetty in a major victory for land-based metro anglers.
Premier Mark McGowan revealed on Sunday the State Government would commit $9.69 million to replacing the “Ammo Jetty” at Woodman Point as part of a larger $300 million investment package in sport and community infrastructure.
Although the Ammo Jetty is a very popular land-based fishing platform in the metro area, the current jetty at Woodman Point has been in a steady state of decline over the past few years.
It was approaching the end of its life and Perth’s fishing community was potentially facing the real possibility of losing this treasured, yet ailing, fishing platform in the next year or so.
To ensure the jetty wasn’t lost forever, Recfishwest Operations Lead Matt Gillett strongly advocated for its replacement through our involvement in a multi-agency working group.
The group, established in February last year, assessed options for the jetty’s future to ensure it continued to provide easy access to mums, dads and kids to quality fishing for many bread-and-butter species.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said it was very important land-based fishers continued to have access to great fishing platforms, such as the Ammo Jetty.
WATCH: Hear what Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland has to say about the announcement:
“Like thousands of south metro anglers, I have fond memories of cutting my teeth at the Ammo Jetty as a kid, catching yellowtail scad and herring,” he said. “It’s one of those special fishing spots that holds a place in many Perth anglers’ hearts.
“Let’s not forget the Ammo Jetty provides one of the only fully wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms in the south metro and is used by our partner organisation Fishability to hold many of their metro fishing events.
“With these kinds of experiences offered by the jetty, it was critical we ensured that a jetty at Woodies was secured for the future.”
In addition to bread-and-butter species, the Ammo Jetty is also home to one of the best metro salmon fishing spots and during the annual salmon run it’s standing room-only on the jetty as anglers line up to get in on the action.
The rod-bending action doesn’t stop there – fishers are even in with a chance of catching tuna and mackerel from the Ammo Jetty in the summer months.
Check this fantastic video of the sheer chaos that ensues as a young tacker hooks up and lands a Spanish mackerel from the jetty!
With the touted Ammo Jetty set to be based south of the old structure, the old jetty’s existing concrete pylons – which were installed in 1938 – will stay in place to remain an attraction for divers.
Andrew said Recfishwest was looking forward to continuing to work with the Department of Transport to maximise fishing opportunities at the new jetty.
He added Recfishwest was also eager to provide input on its design to ensure the best outcomes for anglers.
“In WA, we have a history forgetting about our jetties and arguing about maintenance while they fall into disrepair, such as the icons at Esperance and Carnarvon,” Andrew said.
“So, while there is always more to be done, it is great to see Government recognising the need to invest in this instance and take action.”
The $9.69 million Ammo Jetty commitment coincided with confirmation the State Government would spend $1.3 million to upgrade Exmouth’s Tantabiddi boat ramp.
It caps off a great few days for WA’s fishers, after the State Government last week announced a tender to build a new boat ramp and jetty at Canal Rocks and $3 million to develop a new 112m jetty at Broome’s Town Beach allowing pedestrian, fishing and small boat access.
