coffs harbour historic jetty
A landmark and focal point for Coffs Harbour for over 100 years, the Coffs Harbour Jetty is also an award-winning heritage item of State significance. Built in 1892, it is the largest remaining timber jetty in NSW. It is the only remaining large ocean jetty, of timber construction, in NSW that dates from the 19th century.
This year the jetty was winner of a National Trust Heritage Award. The NSW Department of Public Works and Services received the award in the Organisation and Government category for conservation work completed in 1997. Last month the jetty was highly commended in the Conservation category of the Institution of Engineers, Australia Awards.
Coffs Harbour Jetty was the largest timber jetty constructed by the Harbours and Rivers Section of the NSW Department of Public Works between 1880 and 1895. Today it is the only surviving example of the three ocean jetties built on the North Coast.
Construction began on the timber jetty in 1889 after much campaigning by local residents for a government jetty that would make it easier for them to transfer goods to and from anchored boats. Timbers such as Ironbark, Grey Gum, White Mahogany, Tallowwood, Grey Box and Turpentine - most of them obtained from the local area - were used in its construction. The new jetty stretched 500m into the harbour, and by the turn of the century hundreds of vessels made use of its facilities. In the 1910s and 1940s it was widened and strengthened.
The jetty was last used by commercial shipping in 1974 when all trade from the port of Coffs Harbour ceased. Fisherman dangling their lines from the aged timber platform became the major users of the historic jetty. In 1990 it was closed to the public for safety reasons.
Conservation work by the Department of Public Works and Services started in February 1996. The jetty was considered significant for its method of construction, materials and the changes to its form over time. Those conserving the jetty in the 1990s used the same method employed by its builders 100 years ago: driven timber piles.
Salvaged timbers and new hardwoods were used for the conservation work. A new fire fighting system, safety fence, lighting and 3,600 metres of new decking were installed. New items such as the lighting, hand rail and seating contrast sympathetically with the old, but are clearly identified as new fabric. Signs and anew information shelter built adjacent to the jetty help to interpret its history and significance.
This year the jetty was winner of a National Trust Heritage Award. The NSW Department of Public Works and Services received the award in the Organisation and Government category for conservation work completed in 1997. Last month the jetty was highly commended in the Conservation category of the Institution of Engineers, Australia Awards.
Coffs Harbour Jetty was the largest timber jetty constructed by the Harbours and Rivers Section of the NSW Department of Public Works between 1880 and 1895. Today it is the only surviving example of the three ocean jetties built on the North Coast.
Construction began on the timber jetty in 1889 after much campaigning by local residents for a government jetty that would make it easier for them to transfer goods to and from anchored boats. Timbers such as Ironbark, Grey Gum, White Mahogany, Tallowwood, Grey Box and Turpentine - most of them obtained from the local area - were used in its construction. The new jetty stretched 500m into the harbour, and by the turn of the century hundreds of vessels made use of its facilities. In the 1910s and 1940s it was widened and strengthened.
The jetty was last used by commercial shipping in 1974 when all trade from the port of Coffs Harbour ceased. Fisherman dangling their lines from the aged timber platform became the major users of the historic jetty. In 1990 it was closed to the public for safety reasons.
Conservation work by the Department of Public Works and Services started in February 1996. The jetty was considered significant for its method of construction, materials and the changes to its form over time. Those conserving the jetty in the 1990s used the same method employed by its builders 100 years ago: driven timber piles.
Salvaged timbers and new hardwoods were used for the conservation work. A new fire fighting system, safety fence, lighting and 3,600 metres of new decking were installed. New items such as the lighting, hand rail and seating contrast sympathetically with the old, but are clearly identified as new fabric. Signs and anew information shelter built adjacent to the jetty help to interpret its history and significance.
