The Australind Jetty, located approximately 160km south of Perth in Western Australia, formally known as Laporte’s Boardwalk/Jetty, was named after a former British company, La Porte Industries, and established as part of a titanium extraction plant in Australind in the 1960s.  

Extending a kilometre into the Leschenault Estuary, it was originally built for a pipeline which no longer exists and has become popular for walking and fishing as well as being a local tourist attraction. 

Following a deterioration in the jetty's condition, the Shire of Harvey and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation deemed the structure no longer safe for public use, and the difficult decision was made to close it to the public in late January 2021.

Following an assessment in May 2021, extensive remedial works were identified as a requirement before the public can safely access the jetty. 

Stage one of the project, captured by drone.

 

 

Commencing project works 

Our team on the Department of Transport contract in WA began stage one of the works in January this year, replacing the structures above the waterline of the first boardwalk and the t-jetty at the end of the breakwater.  

Project Manager Dylan Woolnough says undertaking a project in sensitive marine environments with high cultural and social value takes careful planning and a skilled workforce, both of which Ventia specialises in.  

“One example is the access to the jetty, which is over a seabed with acid-sulfate soil,” he explains.

In order to avoid disturbing that seabed and stirring up the soil, our construction methodology involved the use of a barge to transport materials, plant, people and equipment to site. 

Another element of the project involved the reduction of waste in materials.  

The timber used on the original jetty was Jarrah and Karri, both native to Western Australia, and in demand due to the reduction of logging in the state. The project team worked with our client to donate 75% of the wood to local groups including men’s sheds and a local school.  

The remaining 25% was sold to a local building company, who will use the wood in custom-built homes.  

Stage one of the project, captured by drone.


In the new build, a composite material manufactured by APR composites has been used. It is comprised of 50% recycled plastic and 50% recycled wood flour. Use of this material increased the lifespan of the structure and will reduce ongoing maintenance requirements and costs.  

Dylan says this is a locally produced product, so it was great to be able to use Australian-made.  

“We’ve used this material on a smaller scale in previous projects, but this was the first time we’ve used it in a structural capacity,” Dylan says.

It has now been certified for a 5kpa load rating which enables small vehicles to travel over it during future maintenance requirements.

Sustainability always in focus

Throughout all their projects along the coastline of WA, this team always considers what products and processes will deliver sustainable outcomes.  

We look for sustainable materials, do research into what’s available, fit for purpose, easily acquirable and within budget

A marine carpenter by trade, Dylan is also a keen fisherman. There’s no one better placed to lead the remediation of these historic jetties along our western seaboard.  

For more information on the work we do under this contract, visit here