#SaveHamelinBayJetty my letter to the DPAW To Whom It May Concern, I used to be and my family continues to be a large part of the Augusta/Karridale community. It is with great sadness that I have been made aware the departments plans for the future of the Hamelin Bay Jetty. I do not like the idea of removing the remains and constructing an “interpretive seat and table”, or ruining the beauty with plastic sleeves and new recycled timber. The Jetty played an important role in the development of the Western Australian export timber industry, and is significant in the state’s maritime history due to its association with numerous wrecks and the radio tower/lighthouse situated on the island. There is undoubted cultural significance in the remains of the jetty as it exhibits a way of life no longer practiced and serves as a bond to the commercial and social activities of the region. The jetty is also fundamentally associated with the large Stingrays that frequent the beaches to be fed and touched. The major tourist attraction in the area. The reason the rays are so friendly around the ramp and jetty is because of the decades fisherman have used the bench attached to the remains to clean their catch and feed the rays any off cuts. I implore you to see reason and not act in the extreme. The beauty of our coastline is in its ruggedness and natural History, and the corrosion of the Hamelin Bay Jetty is a prime example and reminder of just how powerful and awesome nature is. Are we not able to let nature take its course and witness the ravages of time? I know the jetty currently doesn’t come under any form of environmental or heritage protection listing, but it is synonymous with the South West Region. Once the Jetty yields to the ravishes of the environment, maybe then would be the right time for a memorial in its place, but not at present. I know something needs to be done in the interest of public health and safety, but surely signs at the top of the Boat Ramp and near the beach entries warning of the dangers is adequate enough protection for the public (as is currently done for the Stingrays)? It is definitely the cheapest and most practical option. At what point can we start putting the onus of Safety back onto the individual? I ask the Department of Parks and Wildlife to come up with a few more options other than the two stated above for our piece of history. I look forward to the outcome of the survey as I know a lot of locals and tourists have expressed views along the same line as myself.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:09:34 +0000
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