Rapid Bay Welcomes New Jetty

[aarron 29]

RAPID BAY – Four years after the old and dilapidated Rapid Bay jetty was closed to the public, causing uproar, a brand new one now stands completed alongside it.Already christened with squid ink, fishermen, scuba divers, locals and visitors have been making good use of the new jetty since the barricades came down two weeks ago.Rated as one of the country’s top fishing and diving spots, access to most of the existing jetty was closed on Christmas Eve 2004 after it was deemed unsafe.The local community, anglers and divers have rallied for the jetty’s future ever since, forming the Friends of the Rapid Bay Jetty less than two weeks later.Their prayers were answered when the state government announced in September 2006 plans to build a new $3.9 million structure.Rough weather prevented construction firm Bardavcol from finishing the jetty by the end of last year as planned.However, Friends of the Rapid Bay Jetty members are extremely pleased to see the jetty finally completed after a long and arduous campaign.“I am just so happy for the whole district; it is really going to benefit everyone,” spokesperson Glenice Galbraith said.As former co-owner of the Delamere General Store, Glenice said business halved when the old jetty was closed.“People were so upset, but it wasn’t just the businesses that were affected,” she said.“The overall affect on people made me realise what it is for people and how much they love the place too; not just locals but international tourists too.”Only weeks after the jetty’s completion, the store’s current owner, Kaye Maslin, is already enjoying an increase in business.“Locals are telling me that more people than usual are camping here on weekends; everyone is so excited,” she said.The new 240m jetty features solar lighting, stairs and platforms for divers and is expected to boost the town’s tourism.“It is a popular attraction for the region … (and) I certainly think it will get more people coming back into Rapid Bay,” Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism’s Roz Becker said.“It is a really good camping spot for families wanting cost-effective holidays, right on the beautiful beach front.”The new jetty has also been given the tick of approval from divers, attracted to the spot for the rich diversity of marine life supported by the old jetty, which is expected to remain alongside the new structure.Antony King of the Friends of Rapid Bay Jetty and the Scuba Divers Federation of S.A. said the jetty provides easier and safer access for divers.“Previously, divers had to walk over slippery rocks, swim 300-400m and were a long way out if they got into trouble,” he said.“Now anyone who comes from interstate or overseas to dive will be very impressed by the facility.“It is one of the best places to see the leafy sea dragon and is therefore a real drawcard for the region.“Sometimes the sea dragons will gently settle on the ocean floor a metre away, moving back and forward in time with the gentle weed; they are a very special thing to watch.”The Friends of the Rapid Bay Jetty thanked the media, Dean Brown and Sandra Kanck for their help with the campaign and the Government for building the jetty.Premier Mike Rann will officially open the new jetty on March 11.

This article has been reproduced with permission from The Times - Victor Harborhttp://victorharbor.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/rapid-bay-welcomes-new-jetty/1442570.aspx?storypage=0

[Grumps 0]

Thats excellent for the community and for divers...I'm sorry to say that the jetty is much shorter than the old one,and thats a disadvantage to us fishermen...

[yorke_angler 0]

great news, was just thinking the other night it should be done by now.. i'll be heading up there in the next few weeks to try bag a feed of squid ;D

[stu83 1]

Awesome, about time it was done!!!!i was only asking/posting about this yesterday...I guess its now just a case of picking your times to go (when theres less people around)cheersstu