A composite image of Bunbury Harbour showing concept art of new breakwaters at top left, improvements made to date in the middle ground, and concept art of the new boat lift and services area currently under construction in the foreground. Image: Screenshot, WA Government.
A major project to transform the waterfront of Western Australia’s southwestern city of Bunbury is nearing completion with the construction of a 450-metre-long breakwater at Casuarina Boat Harbour.
The project is jointly funded by the WA Department of Transport, the Southwest Development Commission, Southern Ports, and the City of Bunbury, and is being rolled out across three major stages.
The latest milestone is the completion of the foundation of the $69.2 million breakwater which will provide increased protection for boats moored in the harbour. Also underway is land reclamation for future new boat lifting and servicing lease sites.
Stages 1 of the redevelopment has been completed and includes the Koombana Foreshore revitalisation including a children’s playground, more open space, a new pedestrian bridge and improved public facilities. The Dolphin Discovery Centre was also redeveloped with a new building and aquariums, and improved cafe, gift shop and function facilities.
Stage 2 has seen an upgrade to the Jetty Road Causeway which included major repairs to the causeway and a reconstruction of the roadway, a penholder facility and public toilets, 164 new car parking bays, and improvements to utilities including power and water.
The Casuarina Drive redevelopment is underway and will offer improved landscaping and revitalisation works at Jetty Baths Park, and civil works including road, parking and services upgrades.
Under Stage 3, infrastructure to support future development of the marine industry and to provide long-term assets for the community are being constructed.
These include the new breakwaters at Casuarina Boat Harbour and Koombana Bay, serviced lease sites at Casuarina Boat Harbour for marine commercial activities such as boat lifting, boat servicing and boat storage, community facilities such as toilets at Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp, fishing and swimming platforms at Koombana Bay, and trailer parking upgrades and construction of a new toilet facility.
The State Government says the new breakwater structure is already providing increased sheltering at the harbour ahead of winter, while work to reclaim land at the harbour is progressing.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said it was an exciting time as the city sees the coastal infrastructure reshaping the harbour and becoming a reality.
“This is an ambitious project with many opportunities already being embraced by the private sector and these will see significant long-term benefits for the local community and South West,” she said.
Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson added, “Construction of the breakwater builds on significant investment from the Cook Government to revitalise Bunbury, with a total of $78.1 million supporting the current Stage 3, Phase 1 of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront.
“The Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project is changing the face of Bunbury, and the completed breakwater will further unlock the potential as a marine industry hub,” he said.
“This would be further bolstered by the refurbishment of the existing beach groyne on the Koombana Bay foreshore.”
South West Minister and Bunbury MLA Don Punch said it was great to mark another milestone on the project.
“The South West is already seeing the economic benefits of the investment in the region with local subcontractors engaged by the joint venture partners for site establishment and mobilisation works and direct employment,” he said.
“This is a really exciting time for Bunbury, as we transform Bunbury’s waterfront by taking underutilised and outdated spaces and transforming these for the community and visitors to enjoy.”
