Heritage group plans for One Mile Jetty timber

Custodians of Carnarvon’s One Mile Jetty have assured locals there will be plenty of opportunity to get their hands on salvaged timber from the historic jetty.

They have issued a plea to people in a bid to stop people taking material from the site over the Christmas period.

The Carnarvon Heritage Group has been in negotiations with the Heritage Council of WA and the Department of Transport, as well as the Carnarvon community, to allow for the re-use of the heritage material.

Julie De Jong, director of heritage architects H+H Architects, who are overseeing the project, said she understood the interest locals have in the old timber.

“Whilst we appreciate that locals will be keen to get their hands on some of this material, we ask that people do not start taking material from the site, and instead wait until the new year, when the management strategy is finalised,” she said.

“This will make sure the distribution process is fair and equitable and gives everyone who is interested an opportunity to access some of this unique heritage material.”

Most of the timber has now been removed from the jetty and categorised in four grades of quality.

Expressions of Interest will be sought for the higher-grade wood to be used in community and commercial projects, while lower-grade materials will be made available to the public for purchase.

“Some of the low-grade material may be of interest to locals for firewood or hobbycraft, whereas some of the higher-grade material will likely have value to local businesses, trades and potentially the wider timber trader network. It is proposed to retain some of the best material for future repair works to the remaining jetty and heritage precinct,” Ms De Jong said.

Only the first 400m of the 1450m jetty will remain in place after the ageing jetty was heavily damaged by cyclone Seroja.