Work has begun on a $5 million jetty project that could even-tually cater for an expanded public ferry service to the Perth Stadium.

The 96m floating jetty will run parallel to the shore on the northern side of the pedestrian bridge at Burswood. It will initially accommodate private vessels taking patrons to the stadium, including commercial charter vessels.

There are no plans for a public ferry service to the stadium, but the jetty has been designed to accommodate such a service. The jetty will not be finished in time for next year’s AFL season.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said a construction contract had been awarded to experienced marine contractor Maritime Constructions.

She said work would begin at Henderson next month and it was anticipated that the jetty would be installed in the middle of next year.

The department has also awarded a landscaping contract to WA company Deep Green Landscaping for the land alongside the jetty.

It will incorporate shelters and furniture made in WA and artwork by indigenous artist Wendy Hayden. It is due to be finished by January.

Earlier this year, The West Australian obtained a copy of a Government task force’s interim report that recommended the expansion of Perth’s ferry network, including buying a third ferry for a service to Perth Stadium. The ferries working group listed 16 potential stops for an expanded ferry service, including Matilda Bay, Crown Perth, Belmont, Point Walter, Ascot Waters and Guildford.

The group included representatives from the Public Transport Authority, departments of Planning, Transport, Parks and Wildlife and Tourism WA. It was commissioned by the former Barnett government and chaired by South Perth Liberal MP John McGrath.

In August, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she would look at how to progress the report’s recommendations but she did not want to raise expectations.

Money was scarce for a third ferry and Perth was “not anywhere near” the required density.

“Where we can, we will try to make it work, ” Ms Saffioti said.