An artistic impression of what the new waterfront will look like. Image: supplied
Plans to turn Bunbury into a regional marine hub have begun with dredging for a new 460m-long northern breakwater under way.
WA Premier Roger Cook and Regional Development Minister Don Punch were in Bunbury to celebrate the placement of the first rocks at Casuarina Boat Harbour.
Dredging to remove soft sediment and clear a future entrance channel to the harbour began last month, the WA government says.
The centrepiece of the government’s Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront (TBW) project, the $69.2m breakwater will create the sheltered waters required to establish a regional marine hub.
The breakwater will feature a new $4 million public fishing platform as part of a wider precinct featuring change-rooms and toilets, shade and landscaping.
WA Premier Roger Cook says the entire project will build an even better Bunbury for locals, visitors and businesses.
“The start of works on the northern breakwater is an exciting milestone for this project …” he says.
“This project is delivering critical new infrastructure to activate the harbour as a regional marine hub, helping to grow the local economy and creating great jobs for the future.”
Regional Development Minister and Bunbury MLA Don Punch says they are transforming the Bunbury’s under-used spaces.
“From the Koombana Foreshore and pedestrian bridge right through to the Jetty Road Causeway and Jetty Baths Park, now the project takes the next step forward with construction starting on the northern breakwater,” he says.
“The South West is already seeing the economic benefits of the investment in the region with local sub-contractors engaged by the joint venture partners for site establishment and mobilisation works and direct employment.”
PLEA FOR PATIENCE
Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport David Michael asked the public for patience while work is under way.
“While every effort is being made to limit the disruption, we ask people for their understanding while the vision for the harbour is made a reality,” he says.
“Once complete, there will be vehicle and bus access to the fishing platform and pedestrian access to the full length of the breakwater.”
Truck movements around the harbour are expected to increase as more than 360,000 tonnes of rock is brought to site from quarries at Roelands, Byford and Jarrahdale, the government says.
Work is restricted to 7am-6pm weekdays with a 40km/h speed limit along Casuarina Drive near Jetty Baths.
A joint venture between Western Australian companies WA Limestone Contracting and Italia Stone Group was awarded the contract for the $69.2 million breakwater works in July.
