Tag: Shire of Harvey

Cherished South-West fishing platform reopened thanks to Shire of Dardanup’s heroics

A big Recfishwest shout out to the Shire of Dardanup for restoring a much-loved and popular jetty for the South-West community and recognising how important it is for the well-being of fishers. 

Back in May of 2023, the crumbling southern fishing platform at the old Collie River Bridge in Australind was closed to the public due to safety concerns. 

The closure prevented local fishers from enjoying the fantastic land-based fishing opportunities on the platform which had made it a popular spot since being built in 2010.  

Despite confusion around what council, shire or authority was responsible for managing and maintaining the southern jetty, the Shire of Dardanup voted to save, refurbish and take ownership of the southern jetty knowing how important the fishing platform was to locals.  

As a result, the fishing platform has now been reopened so local fishers can once again safely gather a delicious feed, thanks to the Shire of Dardanup’s decision to go it alone with no assistance being offered.

The southern fishing platform at the Old Coast Road Bridge has been reopened to fishers, with many youngsters already returning to the cherished platform to throw off crab nets.

Dardanup Shire President Cr Tyrrell Gardiner said, “The Old Coast Road Bridge fishing platform is a beloved community asset, and we’re thrilled to welcome residents, visitors and fishers back for another fantastic summer season. 

“It’s a great jetty for families to enjoy a spot of fishing and crabbing and we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience each time they visit.”

Shire of Dardanup President Cr Tyrrell Gardiner at the reopening of the southern-based fishing platform, a great land-based fishing and crabbing spot.

Given the platform is one of the most easily accessible spots along the whole waterfront of the Collie River and is a hotspot for easily catching crabs, tailor and whiting, it is the first land-based fishing spot that the experienced team at Whitey’s Tackle in Australind recommend to their customers.   

“This fishing platform has provided great memories and wellbeing benefits to the South-West community for many years, so hats off to the Shire of Dardanup for recognising the importance of this much-loved fishing landmark and cutting through the red tape,” said Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland. 

“If this jetty could be saved thanks to the initiative of the Dardanup Shire Council, then we hope the jurisdictions and agencies responsible for the fishing platform on the northern riverbank can follow their lead by investing in its restoration and maintenance.” 

All eyes now on the northern platform

While the southern-based jetty has been reopened to the joy of fishers, the northern-based platform under the coordination of the Shire of Harvey is still off limits with no plans to restore it to its former fishing glory.

Only 30 metres across the river is the northern-based platform, located within the Shire of Harvey boundary. 

The fishing jetty is currently closed as the structure is currently unsafe to access, with the Shire of Harvey confirming to Recfishwest that there are no immediate plans to restore the platform to its former fishing glory.  

“At this stage, no funding has been allocated nor are there plans to open this up in the short term,” said the Shire of Harvey spokesperson.  

Recfishwest will continue to push for the appropriate authorities to invest in its restoration and follow the Shire of Dardanup’s lead.  

“Scores of fishing families have fished off the northern-based jetty and every estuary around WA should have a jetty for local and visiting fishers to enjoy. A jetty’s vast benefits to the community strongly outweigh the financial hurdles,” added Andrew.  

Locked out of great fishing access – the current sight meeting fishers at the northern-based fishing platform next to the Old Coast Road Bridge. Image Credit: Shire of Harvey.

A tale of two jetties

All too often, we see prized fishing jetties desperately needing TLC and restoration abandoned, left to rot or demolished as the red tape around who is responsible in managing and maintaining them puts them in the ‘too-hard’ basket for many local authorities.  

Huge credit then must be given to Dardanup Shire Council, who has stepped up to save a historic, popular fishing jetty on the south side of the Collie River.  

The Collie River southern fishing platform was attached to the old Collie River Bridge, which was built in 1962 and managed by the Shire of Harvey in co-operation with Main Roads WA. 

A new concrete and steel bridge was opened in April 2010, followed by construction of a new pedestrian boardwalk in 2011 linking the original jetty and fishing platform to the riverbank. 

The eastern end of the boardwalk connected the facility to the Shire of Dardanup, while the western end connected the facility to the City of Bunbury. 

Generations of fishing-mad mums, dads and kids have fished the north and south jetties, however, in recent times both have fallen into disrepair and have been closed off to the public. 

As a result, The Dardanup Shire council – located inland from Bunbury and Australind – recently voted to save, refurbish and take ownership of the southern jetty and go it alone to restore it to its former glory as a crabbing and fishing hotspot, after negotiations with Main Roads and neighboring councils, including the City of Bunbury and Shire of Harvey – were unsuccessful. 

Meanwhile, it is understood that plans are being considered to demolish the northern jetty (which is out of the Shire of Dardanup’s jurisdiction and control), which would send a wrecking ball through the hopes of local fishers to one day once again fish the currently closed dilapidated platform.  

Jurisdiction of jetty management and maintenance can be as clear as mud, so Recfishwest applauds the Shire of Dardanup for stepping up to the plate and taking ownership of the Old Collie River Bridge southern jetty.

Dardanup Shire President Mick Bennett said the jetty was a well-used community facility and ensuring safe access to waterways for recreational activities was part of the Council’s strategic plan. 

“The Collie River and its foreshore area in Eaton has special significance to residents of our shire as well as those in neighbouring areas,” Cr Bennett said. 

“The river also has cultural, spiritual and historic significance to local Aboriginal people – particularly the Wardandi, Pindjarup and Wilman people who used this land for hunting, fishing, camping and ceremony, and to visit and pay respect to their sacred sites. 

“For these reasons, Council felt compelled to ensure the jetty’s future and the ongoing enjoyment of its availability for all.” 

News of the southern jetty’s reprieve was welcomed by local fishers.  

Mitchell Cooper from Whitey’s Tackle in Australind said, “This is one of the most accessible spots along the whole waterfront of the Collie River and it’s a vital fishing platform for the area. It’s really the best spot for crabbing if you don’t have a boat and it’s great for young kids who want to go for tailor and crabs. To be honest, there is not much else here as far as decent jetties go.”  

Recfishwest applauds the Shire of Dardanup for standing up for local fishers and doing what needs to be done to save a much-loved community fishing landmark. 

“The pleasure and value these structures give as fishing platforms is simply priceless and every seaside town next to an estuary should have a jetty for local and visiting fishers,” said Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland. “Both these jetties clearly play a really important role in the social fabric of the local communities, providing families and friends with opportunities to get together and kids a healthy outdoor outlet all through fishing.  

“So we’re really pleased the Shire of Dardanup values fishing and what it gives to the community by cutting through the red tape and taking the initiative.  

“We hope that the jurisdictions and agencies responsible for the fishing platform on the northern riverbank show similar leadership and invest in its restoration and maintenance for future generations before it is lost forever.” 

Recfishwest will keep you updated across our social platforms on information related to the Collie Bridge jetties – stay tuned.  

For more information on the Shire of Dardanup website, click here.  

Hats off to the Shire of Dardanup for pushing to restore the southern jetty adjacent to the Old Collie Bridge (pictured above) back to its former glory as a fantastic land-based fishing spot for people of all abilities.