Despite none of the 19th and early 20th century parts of the jetty surviving above the seabed, local historians say the jetty is an instrumental part of Albany’s past.

Marine archaeologist Adam Wolfe said he was concerned its cultural heritage significance would be forgotten, as it was the oldest jetty site in Western Australia in continuous use since its construction.

It was the gateway to Australia for international passenger ships arriving from Europe via Cape Leeuwin between 1862 and 1900.

“It will be a major historical loss to the city,” he said.

“Anyone who was anyone arriving from Europe would have stepped off at the landing on the jetty.

“It’s a very famous place.”

It was also a significant landing and loading point for WA imports and exports between 1862 and 1900.

Mr Wolfe said the remaining section of the jetty would simply be a wharf abutting the rock groyne.

He said it would now be up to the State Government and City to ensure a substantial interpretive centre was established to explain what had been there.

The jetty also has local significance as the focus of the commercial traffic from 1862 until the 1920s and being popular as a promenade and venue for swimming, recreational fishing, rowing and yachting, he said.

LandCorp’s contractor, APH, began preparing last week for the start of construction of the breakwater, the major part of a safe marina for Princess Royal Harbour.

Part of the plan is to demolish the jetty up to the viewing platform and replace it with a rock groyne.

The section, rebuilt in 1972, is considered to be approaching the end of its economic life. It occupies the alignment of the jetty built in 1873.

The south-west section of the jetty would remain protected behind the groyne which would extend towards the groyne which protects the Albany Port Authority’s tug boats.