- Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront project achieves new milestone
- Construction of new Bunbury breakwater reaches full extent at low level
- 460 metre, $69.2 million project part of ongoing waterfront transformation
- Land reclamation in progress for future new boat lifting and servicing lease sites
Bunbury's waterfront transformation has reached an important milestone, with nearly 300,000 tonnes of rock placed at low level to complete full length construction of the new 460 metre northern breakwater at Bunbury's Casuarina Boat Harbour.
The milestone follows the completion of dredging late last year to prepare the seabed footprint for the breakwater - the centrepiece of the Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront (TBW) project.
The new structure is already providing increased sheltering at the harbour ahead of winter and in parallel, work to reclaim land at the harbour is progressing for the future boat lifting and servicing lease sites.
It's estimated a further 67,000 tonnes of rock will be needed to build the breakwater to full height, creating a sheltered harbour with capacity to house up to 300 future boat pens and become a regional hub for the marine industry.
The rock used for the project is being sourced from quarries at Roelands, Byford, Shenton Ridge and Jarrahdale by Western Australian companies WA Limestone Contracting and Italia Stone Group, who were awarded the contract for the $69.2 million breakwater works last July.
Completion of the breakwater at full height is expected by the end of the year and a new $4million universal access fishing platform will be built on the northern side adjacent to a precinct supporting the needs of users, carers and visitors.
People wanting more information about the TBW project can visit www.swdc.wa.gov.au/project/transforming-bunburys-waterfront/
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"It's an exciting time as we see this critical piece of coastal infrastructure rising out of the water, 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."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:
"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.
"This would be further bolstered by the refurbishment of the existing beach groyne on the Koombana Bay foreshore."
As stated by South West Minister and Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
"It is great to mark another milestone on this transformational project, having witnessed the progress made on this key piece of infrastructure since the first rocks were laid late last year.
"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.
"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."
