The Busselton Jetty was closed as a shipping port. The final ship to use the jetty was believed to be the M.V. Kafitoa, from New Zealand, on her 8th trip into Busselton. She marked the end of the working life at the jetty which in its 100 years, serviced 5000 ships and contributed greatly to the development of the South West.
After an active life as a much needed port, the long jetty now faced demolition due to the high maintenance costs and the navigational hazard it presented to shipping. The government proposed to destroy the jetty but outcry from the community curbed these plans and public meetings to save the jetty were held.