12 June 1999 - Rapid Bay Jetty (South Australia) under threat

One of the world’s most important jetty dive sites for watching leafy seadragons may be under threat from demolition. Dive groups and ‘dragon-lovers’ fear that Transport SA may demolish the end of the Rapid Bay Jetty* destroying the marine life and possibly impacting on the seadragon colony there.

Possible changes to the jetty range from total removal of the end section - including pylons, to removal of upper decking. Divers are worried about the removal of the end 'T' section of the jetty. This is where the seadragons are usually seen. The least extreme option of removing planking, which shades the pylons, may change light conditions, resulting in permanent loss of some of the shade-tolerant marine life, including the dragons apparent feeding habitat.

A significant number of sightings (23.1% of all dive sightings) from the Dragon Search records, are from Rapid Bay Jetty. The seadragon colony at the Rapid Bay Jetty have featured in international dive and wildlife publications including BBC Wildlife, and the site is known nationally and around the world as one of the ‘spots’ to dive with dragons. Most other dragon dive sites require boat access. Seadragons are protected in South Australia under the Fisheries Act, and recently Tourism SA has been promoting the leafy seadragon in its international literature as a focus for marine tourism.

The Minister for Transport has stated to the SA Recreational Fishing Advisory Council that options for the repair of the areas of the jetty, such as the dolphin decking (the end 'T' section) are marginally cheaper than demolition. However the Minister adds that irrespective of cost of repair, consideration has also to be given to the costs of maintenance. The jetty itself is no longer used for commercial purposes and is classed as a recreational jetty. Funding which was made available for the upgrade of recreational jetties is only available on the condition that local councils assume responsibility for on-going maintenance. An unnamed consortium has apparently expressed interest in the jetty to the Minister’s office for an as yet unclarified proposal. There was rumour that a developer had expressed interest to use the jetty for fish farming activities.

The problem would appear to be perceived risk for any future lessees of the jetty. Also the local District Council of Yankalilla is understandably reticent to take control of the structure, with associated long-term maintenance expenses.

Concerned divers and others may wish to contact the Minister for Transport The Honourable Diana Laidlaw at Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, phone +61 8 8303 0940, email [email protected], or the District Council of Yankalilla on phone +61 8 8558 2048 with any concerns over this proposal.

*Whilst it is not generally Dragon Search policy to release site specific information, it is well known within the diving community and the general community as a whole that seadragons occur at Rapid Bay Jetty. Extensive recent media coverage - both electronic and print - has emphasised this fact. Dragon Search feels it is appropriate to inform the community of conservation issues relating to seadragon sites.