STATE NEGLECTS HISTORIC WA ‘GHOST’ TOWN

PARTS of heritage-listed Cossack wharf has crumbled onto the Harding River boat ramp near Roebourne.
The cyclone damaged wall and staircase pictured here have been fenced off while hundreds of visitors attend the annual arts awards which runs until August 9.
Several vehicles were parked on the deteriorating wharf where a couple of sinkholes have appeared near the main road into the historic ‘ghost’ town.
Cossack landowner Alan Wilson told StreetWise the lack of maintenance reflected the State Government neglect of WA’s first North West pearling, pastoral and gold rush port established in 1872.
Officially dissolved in 1910, the town was completely abandoned by the 1950s. Since then, ‘Bajinhurrba’ (in Ngarluma lingo) continues to be a popular fishing spot and temporary stay for campers and caravaners.
“There has been a slump in the wall,” Mr Wilson said at the site today. “When the tide dries out there’s half a dozen spots where the water just pours out through cracks in the wall.”
Visiting Cossack with cousin Jane, Mr Wilson said the stairs were original, “there are photos of a lugger on top of it after the 1893 cyclone, so it was there then”.
He said repairs to the structure are estimated to cost more than $1 million, but could blow out if more or all of it collapses in another storm.
“There is no-one driving the future development of Cossack. Some of the buildings including the lighthouse site at Jarman Island will just continue to deteriorate. Cossack needs a caretaker all year round.”
Mr Wilson said Karratha city council handed over management of Cossack to the State two years ago. Pilbara Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson is expected to visit Roebourne on Monday.
Alan’s ‘neighbour’ Terry Patterson told StreetWise the Cook Government had done nothing since council handed back management.
“Nothing is getting preserved in this state,” he said. “There is no water out there, it has to be tanked in. If the wall is not stabilised, the whole wharf could go. It will cost a lot of money to get it back.
“Someone also could get seriously hurt out there.”