Jetty to be fully restored

SWAKOPMUND’S century-old jetty is to be fully restored to its former glory, thanks to Quinton Liebenberg of the Lighthouse Group.

Last year, after more than a decade of ruin, the first half of the jetty was restored and plans were in the pipeline to develop shops and an oyster bar along the jetty. However, after much consideration, Liebenberg proposed to the Swakopmund Town Council that the remaining portion of the jetty be restored first.Council approved the proposal.The Lighthouse Group will pay for the project and will remain responsible for the maintenance and security of the jetty.After a three-month investigation, consulting engineers have found that the steel beams of the unrestored part are strong enough to last many more years and to bear the additional weight of an oyster bar at the end of the jetty.Some reinforcement is needed to improve the structural integrity of the jetty, though – especially the last half.The Lighthouse Group has leased the jetty from the Council for nine years and 11 months, but has asked for the lease to be extended in order to get a return on the extra investment in the second phase of restoration.The proposal still has to be negotiated.There are residents who feel that this might eventually lead to the transfer of ownership of the jetty from the local authority to the Lighthouse Group.However, after much consideration, Liebenberg proposed to the Swakopmund Town Council that the remaining portion of the jetty be restored first.Council approved the proposal.The Lighthouse Group will pay for the project and will remain responsible for the maintenance and security of the jetty.After a three-month investigation, consulting engineers have found that the steel beams of the unrestored part are strong enough to last many more years and to bear the additional weight of an oyster bar at the end of the jetty.Some reinforcement is needed to improve the structural integrity of the jetty, though – especially the last half.The Lighthouse Group has leased the jetty from the Council for nine years and 11 months, but has asked for the lease to be extended in order to get a return on the extra investment in the second phase of restoration.The proposal still has to be negotiated.There are residents who feel that this might eventually lead to the transfer of ownership of the jetty from the local authority to the Lighthouse Group.