Community to influence jetty spend

Berri Barmera Council agreed to consult the community in coming months about the affordability of a new jetty.

Berri Barmera Council CEO Tim Pfeiffer said the jetty project had reached the next stage of the process.

“The community was consulted with in 2023 to gain an understanding about what the community would like to see in a new jetty on a broad level,” he said.

“Following a significant body of work on draft concept designs and the cost estimates provided by specialised, external consultants, it would have been financially irresponsible to push ahead without again consulting with the community.”

A report to the March Council meeting presented several scenarios, including the option to demolish the existing structure without replacement.

The costs from the four scenarios range from $200,000 to over $6 million, with the project only to proceed if external grant funding is secured.

The scenarios were based on receiving a minimum of 50 per cent external grant funding and if endorsed, could see Council rates rise between 1.42 per cent and 3.31 per cent.

“In coming months, Council will be seeking the community’s feedback about what they are comfortable spending in future years on a new jetty,” Mr Pfeiffer said.

“The community will be ultimately funding a portion of this project and that is always at the forefront of our decision-making process.”

The community consultation for jetty financial impacts will take place following consultation of the 2025/26 Annual Business Plan in coming months.

After community engagement has occurred, Council will consider a preferred budget and design option to proceed to the project’s detailed design stage.

At completion of the detailed design stage, the project would be shovel ready, allowing Council to seek and apply for external funding.