The boat ramp at Casuarina Boat Harbour has been reopened after the completion of a $1.1 million upgrade, providing skippers based in the South-West with a significantly improved launching experience in time for summer.
The two-month transformation, which has seen the old fixed timber jetty replaced with a floating jetty with a two-lane ramp – to better accommodate large trailers and wide vessels – delivers the first project in the larger $78.1 million Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront Stage 3 Phase 1 (TBW 3.1).
The facility manager – Department of Transport – awarded Australind-based company SMC Marine the design and construction contract in August, to modernise the 28-year-old boat ramp at the harbour. Additional work to upgrade the boat ramp parking facilities – as well as provide toilets onsite – is planned for next winter.
The construction of new breakwaters at Casuarina Boat Harbour and Koombana Bay are also part of TBW 3.1, along with serviced lease sites for marine commercial activities such as boat lifting, servicing and storage – as well as community facilities including toilets at Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp and recreational platforms at Koombana Bay.
For more information about the TBW project, please visit: https://www.swdc.wa.gov.au/project/transforming-bunburys-waterfront/
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said: “Future works as part of TBW 3.1 – including the planned new breakwaters at Casuarina Boat Harbour and Koombana Bay – will provide the critical infrastructure required for further public and private investment in the precinct.
“The region is already seeing the benefits of the State’s investment here, with the boat ramp project resulting in 13 regional jobs and a boost to the local economy.
“There will be ongoing economic and social benefits for the local community and the region, as TBW 3.1 projects valued at $78.1 million are implemented over the next few years and further add to benefits that have flowed from the $45 million invested in the first two stages.”
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: “With the summer boating season fast approaching the significant improvements to the boat ramp at Casuarina are perfectly timed – and will no doubt be greatly appreciated by regular users and visiting skippers.
“Those inconvenienced by the temporary closure of the ramp during the works have been rewarded with a modern facility that is also safer and will help meet the needs of the region’s growing boating community.
“The completion of this project marks a milestone in the upgrade of infrastructure at the harbour – which is seen as a future marine hub for the South-West – attracting new businesses, creating employment, and wealth for the region.”
Bunbury MLA Don Punch said: “The ongoing transformation of Bunbury’s waterfront continues to deliver fantastic new facilities for our community.
“People in Bunbury have been calling for improved boat ramp facilities for many years, so this project will be welcomed by the local boating community.
“The works conducted so far at Koombana and Casuarina have been terrific, but the best is yet to come – with Stage 3 of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront set to deliver world class marine facilities to complement the amazing recreation facilities completed to date.”
