Premier Colin Barnett will officially open the refurbished Busselton Jetty with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony tonight, which will be followed by a massive fireworks display.

This will follow the Busselton Jetty Fiesta, one of the biggest community events to be staged by the Shire of Busselton, and is expected to draw a crowd of more than 5,000 people.

Mr Barnett said the historic jetty had been closed to the public since May 2009, during which time it had undergone a $27million refurbishment program.

“The Liberal-National Government made a commitment of $24million to fund the restoration program in 2008 shortly after it came into government as it recognised the impact this tourism landmark has to the South-West,” he said.

“More than 400,000 people visit the Busselton Jetty each year and it is the fourth most visited site in Western Australia behind Kings Park, Rottnest Island and the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park.”

The Premier also commended the work of the Shire of Busselton to the jetty’s refurbishment and the long-term commitment of the Busselton Jetty Environment and Conservation Association

“The jetty has endured over the years, thanks largely to the tremendous support of the community and volunteers and to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who choose to stroll its length, visit the Underwater Observatory, fish, swim, scuba dive or snorkel the waters surrounding it,” he said.

The Busselton Jetty Fiesta will commence at 1pm on the Busselton Foreshore with the official opening at 8pm followed by the fireworks display.

The Busselton Jetty will be a hive of activity the following day (Sunday) with the 16th Annual Busselton Jetty Swim.  It is expected to attract more than 12,000 swimmers who will swim out and around the jetty - a distance of 3.6km.

Premier's office - 9222 9475