In August 2021, the South Australian Government announced $1 million in funding for a swimming pontoon to be built at Port Augusta as part of a $22 million package that includes a $10 million refurbishment of the existing wharf and $11 million for the demolition of the Great Western Bridge.

Following consultation with Port Augusta City Council (PACC) on location and design, the PW2PA Alliance is delivering a swimming pontoon on the western side of the new bridge on the site of the former T-Jetty, which was removed due to safety concerns for its unstable structure.

Investigations in 2018 found that the 1881 built timber T-Jetty’s piles were undermined by severe rotting, splitting and section loss, along with compromised structure bracing in many locations, and that fixing the structure was not possible. The jetty was demolished in 2019.

At a community information session in 2022, the community was surveyed on its colour preferences for elements of the swimming pontoon. From the options provided as most durable for use in sea and marine conditions, it voted for a grey walkway and black piles.