District Council of Tumby Bay, Media release, 12 October 2021

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has been presented with a ground-breaking opportunity for the State to work with the District Council of Tumby Bay on significantly refurbishing the Tumby Bay Jetty to benefit cruise ship tourism on Eyre Peninsula, as well as tourism and the community at large.

This summer Tumby Bay will play host to a minimum of seven (7) cruise ship visits with up to 100 passengers each – an impressive season to build on as small cruise ships specialising in bespoke experiences look to new destinations after the COVID19 pandemic has challenged traditional routes.

This new visitation is visibly linked to the success of Tumby Bay’s quick-growing reputation as Eyre Peninsula’s leading festival destination, hosting Colour Tumby Street Art Festival, Adelaide Fringe, @ The Bay Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival and Illuminate Adelaide in the past 12 months with great success. It also shows the popularity of our pristine environments and experiences in nature.

However, the Tumby Bay Jetty is not in a condition that would allow even a smaller tender vessel to tether to it and unload cruise ship passengers, let alone a larger cruise ship.

District Council of Tumby Bay Mayor Sam Telfer said with tourism opportunities like this centring around the Jetty at Tumby Bay, significant refurbishment was now essential to ensure the structure’s ongoing use and enjoyment into the future.

Mayor Telfer said in recognising the importance of the refurbishment, Council has offered to provide up to $1m of the $3.5m required for the works and was now urging the State to make a vital co-contribution. The total spend would enable Council and DIT to make immediate repairs that will see the Jetty stabilised and operative for the short to medium term.

“This is an important opportunity which I believe we can’t afford to miss and hope the State Government also recognise this,” Mayor Telfer said.

“We look forward to the prospect of working towards what will be an exciting outcome, not just for our community but also for the opportunities which it will deliver for regional and state tourism.”

“Given the growth in tourism on the Eyre Peninsula, the obvious duration of COVID-19 and the ongoing expectation of increased intra-state and inter-state visitors, coupled with the growth in cruise ship expeditions, the social and commercial value of the Jetty is apparent and must be protected, supported and exploited to the benefit of tourism operators, business and the people of Eyre Peninsula.”