Nearly eight months after the Kingston Jetty was destroyed by severe weather, the Kingston District Council says it is still awaiting clarity from the State Government on the outcome of an insurance assessment.
The jetty was first severely damaged during storms in May 2025. That system was part of a period of wild weather along South Australia’s coast that damaged multiple jetties and infrastructure, with high tides, strong winds and storm surge forcing seawater into low-lying areas and closing roads in the region. Jetties at Robe and Normanville were also reported destroyed or heavily damaged during the same events.
Further storm surge events and swells of up to seven metres in June resulted in its destruction. An engineering report later assessed the damage at $11.2 million.
The council lodged a claim with the State Government, which self-insures its assets. The jetty is owned by the State and leased to the council, an arrangement that applies to many other jetties across the state.
With no public update on the assessment, the council said it has been responding to regular enquiries from residents and visitors about the jetty’s future.
“It is extremely frustrating for our community and the many thousands of visitors that enjoyed coming to fish and walk on the historic jetty, that we have no clarity on the outcome of the insurance assessment and for us to share, consider and agree on re-build options,” the council said.
It also said requests for information have not been answered.
“Council has been fielding enquiries every day from the community and visitors alike about what is happening and we don’t know what to tell people. Our requests for clarity have not as yet been responded to, despite it now having been several months since being destroyed and frankly our community deserves better.”
