Good news for metro anglers, with the popular Ammo Jetty at Woodman Point set to be replaced by a new and improved platform by next summer.

The old jetty has long been a favourite for hordes of Perth anglers, including yours truly back when he was a youngster learning about land-based sport fishing by chasing bonito on lures.

Over the years all manner of popular recreational fishing species have been caught there, including Spanish mackerel, pink snapper, squid, herring and salmon.

However, it had been steadily deteriorating and faced an uncertain future.

Damage in the recent major storm saw it closed by Transport WA, and it will be replaced by a new 50m-long T-shaped jetty.

The plans for the new jetty took a major step forward with the recent awarding of the $17.3 million construction contract.

Construction is expected to start later this year and be completed by December, right in time for anglers to again target seasonal pelagics from it.

Recreational fishing peak body Recfishwest has been closely involved in a working group for the Ammo Jetty replacement, and is pleased that one of Perth’s most iconic land-based fishing structures will be modernised.

Key features of the redevelopment include a 3m-wide T-head that will more than double fishing space in deeper water, and improved separation between divers and anglers through a widened main deck.

There will also be upgraded access to the water via a dedicated ramp and low-level platform.

The design includes measures to retain existing jetty pylons, which will preserve the pre-existing fish-holding habitat at the jetty.

Recfishwest Operations Officer Levi De Boni said the new jetty would be a great development both from the fishing community’s and his own personal perspective.

“I grew up fishing the old Ammo Jetty and it’s a place that holds a lot of memories for me and many other West Aussies,” he said.

“It was a great loss back in 2012 when the T-sections were cut off the old jetty and the structure has continued to deteriorate since then.

“From a fishing perspective, having more space on the T-head and better access in deeper water is a big win, especially at a location that can get extremely busy at times.

“This is exactly the kind of infrastructure that supports safe, family-friendly fishing experiences close to Perth.”

Concerns over issues like secure parking have been incorporated into planning.

The project has been guided by a working group including Recfishwest, Fishability, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, City of Cockburn, and other agencies.

An artist’s impression of the new Ammo Jetty expected to be open by next summer.