After more than three years without a jetty, the city is seeing its new 165m long distinctive loop on track to be open to walkers and fishers in the middle of July.

Mayor Clare McLaughlin said builders Maritime Constructions had continued to build the jetty at Whyalla throughout the COVID-19 restrictions, and it was coming in on budget.

The unique design was picked from five options by the community and has open sections for children and people in wheelchairs to admire the view, three shade shelters, and sliding sleeves on the top handrail for fishing.

“It was hooked up to a generator to test it a week or so ago, we put a photograph of it happening on our Facebook page and it got about 50,000 views,” McLaughlin said.

“I’ve been for a walk on it and it’s breathtaking, it’s so vast, the architecture is just beautiful and it’s a great tourism drawcard.”

The council is planning an official opening and community celebration once COVID restrictions are lifted, but is now working through how a softer opening may happen sooner to allow locals to start using their striking new asset.

The new Whyalla jetty at sunset. Picture supplied.

Maritime Constructions, a family-owned company based in Port Adelaide, has worked on every jetty in South Australia and was involved in the design and construction of the new Rapid Bay jetty on the Fleurieu Peninsula in 2009.

The company has also worked on projects for SIMEC in Whyalla, the mining arm of the city’s steelworks owners GFG Alliance. GFG donated $300,000 worth of steel to the new jetty build.

Maritime Constructions’ manager for harbours and marine, Adam Bolton, said the new jetty is “a unique feature that is going to put Whyalla on the map”.

Commenting on the council Facebook page post local David Casserley was also full of praise.

“Magnificent. What a great project. Whyalla should be very proud of this lovely Jetty,” he wrote.

“It will be the envy of any Australian town or city.”