Carnarvon’s historic One Mile Jetty partial deconstruction underway after cyclone Seroja damage

Deconstruction works are now under way to dismantle part of Carnarvon’s One Mile Jetty, which was hit hard by cyclone Seroja earlier this year.

Pelican Point Beach will be closed for three months to complete the works, which was deemed necessary to address safety concerns associated with floating timbers.

About 360m of the historic structure was completely destroyed in the April 11 cyclone, with currents carrying an estimated 200-300 tonnes of planks and piles southward.

An inspection conducted after the storm found the first 420m of jetty suffered little impact from cyclonic waves as it was protected by mangroves.

Machinery could last week be seen dismantling parts of the structure deemed too damaged to repair, with piles of discarded timbers placed at the beach.

• Jetty washed away by cyclone
• State Government's $4.5 million jetty pledge
• Streeters Jetty to be demolished, rebuilt

It is understood salvaged timbers will be sorted and delivered to the Carnarvon heritage Group to be assessed for heritage value, quality, and structural integrity. High to low-grade timbers may be used in the jetty restoration process or other community projects.

The State Government has pledged $4.5 million to restore part of the jetty, with the Shire of Carnarvon seeking an additional $9 million Federal commitment through the Building Better Regions Fund to extend the jetty and further develop the local heritage precinct.

This would include plans for an Aboriginal healing centre and a commemoration of the Lock Hospital tragedies.

The jetty was established in 1899 and campaigners have been trying for decades to attract funding for its restoration.

A fire in 2007 threatened to close the jetty but it was not deemed structurally unsound until 2017.