Virtual Discovery #51 - The Army Jetty on Rottnest

The original timber jetty was constructed in 1905 to serve the Island’s supply needs and after 1911 was generally referred to as the Excursion Jetty. As an integral part of the infrastructure required to install defence installations on Rottnest Island at Bickley and Oliver Hill, the 1905 jetty was substantially modified and extended in 1935 and 1942.
By late 1970 after 3 ½ decades of Defence management, the jetty was deemed to be unsafe to normal traffic. In early 1971, under the direction of Army Works and Engineering (AWE) Branch, 22 Construction Squadron demolished the entire timber wharf. Planning for a new wharf, and an adjoining barge hard standing, began soon after. Various concepts were proposed and through discussions with AWE Branch, Commonwealth Department of Works (the final approving authority), a final concept was formulated which met the operational requirements for the barges and transport of 36 Water Transportation Squadron (Medium) RAE.