BUSSELTON'S historic jetty has been closed because it is structurally unsound and in danger of collapsing.

The Shire of Busselton closed the 2km-long jetty yesterday after receiving an engineer's report detailing extensive problems.

Gallery: Best readers' pictures of the jetty

The jetty was due to close next month to allow work to start on a $24 million rebuilding project but engineers  found the jetty was unsafe and recommended it be closed immediately.

A 200m section of the jetty is structurally sound and will remain open for public access until rebuilding  work starts.

A Busselton shire spokeswoman said the project  was due to be completed in 2010 but the jetty would remain closed permanently.

The first section of the jetty was built in the mid 1800s with additions continuing up until the 1960s.