Kingston District Council, Media Release, 9 February 2026

Following severe storms in May 2025, the Kingston Jetty was severely damaged and then three weeks later in June, after more storm surge events and seven metres swells, the Jetty was destroyed.

An engineering report estimated the extent of damage at $11.2 million and a claim was submitted to the State Government, which self-insures its assets. (The Jetty is leased by Kingston District Council from the State, as is the case for many other Jetties around the state).

Now almost eight months on, the Kingston community are still no wiser as to when the matter will be resolved.

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.

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.

It is concerning that government is about to enter caretaker and we may not have clarity for some months after the election and therefore no replacement jetty (even to be begin planning for) ahead of next summer.