Mine urged to restore Catherine Hill Bay Jetty

Councillors resolved to call on the company to "fully fund" a trust to restore and reuse the jetty, used to load coal. The company had a responsibility to give something back to the community after reaping millions of dollars in coal profits from the area, several councillors said.

Cr Kay Fraser said the mining company should "step up and take responsibility".

"There's been a lot of media reports of late of mining companies ripping off resources and not giving back to the community," Cr Fraser said.

Cr Jodie Harrison said the company had a "moral obligation to maintain" the heritage-listed jetty.

The councillors said their decision did not exclude the possibility of asking state and federal governments to contribute to a trust to maintain the jetty.

Cr Laurie Coghlan said it was the only "deep-water" jetty left on Australia's eastern side.

The Herald reported yesterday that LakeCoal had offered the council ownership of the jetty and the equivalent cost of demolishing it.

Council development manager Stephen Brown said LakeCoal estimated the demolition cost to be $1 million. Councillors agreed with council staff that the council could not afford to own the jetty, which would cost $3 million to restore and a further $3.5 million over 10 years to maintain.

Mayor Greg Piper said it should be separated from the shore by up to 50 metres and left to deteriorate.

"Young males jump off it, putting themselves at severe risk," Cr Piper said.

He said Environment Minister Peter Garrett had "significant heritage provisions to wield".