A major upgrade to the 67-year-old Southend Jetty is complete, improving safety, accessibility and reliability for one of South Australia’s busiest commercial rock lobster ports.
One of South Australia’s most important commercial fishing hubs is ready for the future, with a $3.8 million upgrade to the historic Southend Jetty now complete.
The significant investment has extended the life of the 67-year-old structure while improving safety and accessibility for the commercial fishing fleets that rely on it throughout the Southern Rock Lobster season.
Located in the Limestone Coast, Southend Jetty plays a crucial role in supporting the region’s rock lobster industry. During the season, it serves as a busy working port where commercial operators moor tender vessels, transfer catches, refuel and load equipment before heading back out to sea.
As part of the Southend Jetty Remediation Project, three ageing landing platforms have been replaced with modern steel and low-maintenance composite fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) structures, designed to better withstand the harsh marine environment and increasingly challenging weather conditions.
The project also included the installation of eight new structural piles, 40 cross-brace brackets and 44 metres of new decking, significantly strengthening the jetty and helping reduce the likelihood of closures caused by structural damage.
Additional improvements were made during construction to further enhance safety, including new fender extensions on all lower landings to make berthing easier and safer for tender vessels during high tides.
Originally built in 1958 before being extended to its current L-shaped design in 1968, Southend Jetty has long been an essential piece of infrastructure for the region. Its design allows vessels to reach deeper water, making it easier to load and unload cargo while supporting commercial fishing operations.
The project was delivered under the South Australian Marine Asset Sustainment Fund by Maritime Constructions and supported four full-time jobs during construction.
“This project is an investment in the long-term future of Southend Jetty, which is the backbone of rock lobster operations in the Limestone Coast,” shared Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Joe Szakacs.
“Strengthening this structure delivers a vital boost to the reliability, safety and accessibility of this infrastructure which is critical to the day-to-day operations of industry in the region.
“Throughout the construction period, we worked closely with the South Eastern Professional Fishermen’s Association to ensure access to the jetty and landings was maintained.”
South Eastern Professional Fishermen’s Association Executive Officer Nathan Kimber added, “The recently completed works to the Southend Jetty provide rock lobster fishers with operational certainty in advance of the upcoming season.
“Southend is a critical port for the rock lobster fishery, which generates around $120 million in gross value and supports in excess of 1,000 FTEs.”
For many coastal communities throughout the region, the industry remains a major economic driver, with the upgraded jetty expected to support local businesses and commercial operators for years to come.
