Dampier’s old jetty set for a $1.4m upgrade to improve boating facilities

Local boating enthusiasts can rejoice as the decades-old Dampier jetty is set for a million-dollar upgrade.

The City of Karratha council last week called for tenders for renewal of the Dampier boat ramp jetties, with the project estimated to cost $1.4 million.

It comes as a recent structural condition assessment found there was a moderate risk of structural failure.

Upgrades are set to include a new deck while reusing the existing piles.

The original jetty was designed in 1986, with the northern ramp constructed in 1988.

In early 2000, construction finished on an additional ramp on the southern side.

The facility last received a substantial upgrade in 2014.

City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the piles underneath the jetty would be sleeved and made stronger so it would last for another 50 years.

“They are definitely in need of repair. There is actually some serious corrosion. It’s not dangerous yet but we want to act before it becomes that way,” he said.

“We expect by the time we get it organised and the designs done it will be the second half of this year that we will start doing work on it.”