The 81-year-old Esperance Tanker Jetty has been saved from demolition.

Heritage Minister Albert Jacob yesterday issued another conservation order over the jetty, replacing the 42-day stop-work order he issued last month.

It is the first such order he has issued since becoming heritage minister in March 2013.

Mr Jacob said the order would remain until the Shire of Esperance developed a fully funded and detailed design for a jetty that retained and integrated part of the original structure.

“While the conservation order prohibits demolition, I recognise that restoration or reconstruction of the jetty to its original form and scale is unlikely and I appreciate there is an urgent need to address the future of the jetty due to its condition,” he said.

“But without a detailed design for a jetty that retains and integrates part of the original fabric, demolition is premature.

“This runs the risk of the community being left without any certainty of a jetty in any form and the total loss of a heritage structure of State importance.

“Once I am satisfied that there is certainty and a clear pathway forward, I will consider lifting the conservation order to allow works to start.”

More than 80 timber jetties were built on WA’s coast but only the ones in Busselton, Carnarvon and Esperance remain.

Mr Jacob said he was encouraged the shire had established a jetty replacement working group, which includes members from the community, the council, Tourism Esperance, Southern Ports Authority and the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission.

Kent Acott