Busselton Jetty Inc.
The operation of the Busselton Jetty is managed by a community-run not-for-profit organisation, Busselton Jetty Inc, formerly the Busselton Jetty Environment and Conservation Association (BJECA).
Formed in October 1987 as the Busselton Jetty Preservation Committee, Busselton Jetty Inc has been raising funds and implementing initiatives for the Jetty for over 35 years!
Without the dedication and passion of this voluntary committee and its community members, the Jetty would not be the tourism icon that it is today.
Background
After a rich history in Busselton, shipping at Busselton Jetty ceased in 1972 and caused the structure to quickly deteriorate due to wood borers, rot, and fire.
On 4 April 1978, matters were made even worse when Cyclone Alby swept down the coast and destroyed a significant portion of the structure.
Following the tragic events of Cyclone Alby, the Government wanted to demolish the Jetty, but due to local uproar and rallying, demolition was halted.
Over the next 28 years, the Busselton community raised more than $9 million for the reconstruction of the Jetty through markets and through charging an entry fee for visitors – which is still done today.
Although demolition didn’t go ahead, the lack of Government support encouraged the Busselton community to preserve the Jetty themselves. Numerous fundraising efforts were made over the years but due to the lack of Government support on a state and local level, the funds were not enough to salvage the ‘Promenade Jetty’. The Promenade Jetty was fully removed in 1984 and focus was redirected to the restoration of the remaining Jetty.
At the time, a survey conducted by the Busselton community highlighted 90 per cent of locals were supportive of the remaining Jetty’s preservation, and 56 per cent of that number wanted the whole Jetty to be retained. This demand prompted the establishment of the Busselton Jetty Preservation Committee (BJECA) who became responsible for fundraising and repairing the Jetty.
In the first year of BJECA’s operation, the committee received $500,000 in funding from the State Government with the first major restoration work commenced in 1990 with a 250m section being replaced.
The committee estimated a further $1.5 million would be required to replace the remaining rotting timbers and the Busselton community again rallied together to conduct further fundraising efforts.
These efforts included Jetty train rides, daily entry fees, the ‘donate-a-pile’ public appeal, concert balls, and Jetty markets. The most appealing fundraising activity was the Jetty train which began trips along the Jetty in 1995.Manned by volunteers, the Jetty train has since become an instrumental fundraising tool for the Busselton Jetty.
After $2 million was raised for the restoration, a fire at the end of the Jetty caused a major setback with a 70m section destroyed. The Jetty only received a small portion of the damage bill from insurance and BJECA again had to ramp up its fundraising efforts.
A very generous anonymous donation of $100,000 was made to the Jetty. In 2009, BJECA received $27.1 million to complete restoration on the jetty structure with $24 million of this amount granted by the WA State Government. The remainder of this amount was jointly funded by the City of Busselton and BJECA.
Despite numerous setbacks over the years, the Busselton Jetty is a popular tourist attraction today and attracts more than 600,000 people every year. An Interpretive Centre and Underwater Observatory were constructed at the Jetty, and the Jetty train remains a major drawcard for the attraction, as well as the brand new 13 Underwater Sculptures that form the Underwater Sculpture Park!
As a not-for-profit organisation, all proceeds from visitation to the Busselton Jetty go directly to the Jetty’s ongoing maintenance and enhancement of the iconic structure.Â
The Busselton Jetty is a monument to the spirit and dedication of the Busselton Community as without this, the Jetty simply would not be here today!
