Bunbury’s waterfront transformation has reached an important milestone, with construction of a new 460-metre-long northern breakwater underway.
Premier Roger Cook and Regional Development Minister Don Punch were in Bunbury today to celebrate the placement of the first rocks at Casuarina Boat Harbour. The progress follows the start of dredging to prepare the foundation for the structure and clear the future entrance channel to the harbour.
The centrepiece of the Cook Government’s Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront (TBW) project, the breakwater is key to unlocking further development of the harbour. It will create the sheltered waters required to establish the precinct as a regional hub for the marine industry.
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. Dredging to remove soft sediment from the construction footprint started last month.
The current dredging program to prepare the foundation and remove material from the harbour entrance will continue until later this year.
The breakwater is expected to be completed in 2025 and will feature a new $4 million universal access fishing platform. The platform will form part of a wider precinct, including accessible changerooms and toilets, shade and landscaping.
Construction of the breakwater was made possible by a significant investment from the Cook Labor Government, with a total of $78.1 million supporting the current Stage 3, Phase 1 of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront.
With construction of the breakwater underway, truck movements to and from the harbour will increase as more than 360,000 tonnes of rock is transported to site from quarries at Roelands, Byford and Jarrahdale.
To limit disruption and ensure safety, work on site has been restricted to weekdays between 7am and 6pm and a 40-kilometre per hour speed limit has been adopted by the contractor for their trucks as they travel along Casuarina Drive near Jetty Baths.
For more information about the TBW project visit Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront – South West Development Commission (swdc.wa.gov.au)
Premier Roger Cook said “My Government’s continued investment in this waterfront transformation will help to 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, which will contribute to the further rejuvenation of this thriving port city.
“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 said “We have been progressively transforming Bunbury’s waterfront by taking underutilised and outdated spaces and transforming these for the community and visitors to enjoy.
“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.
“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 will be further bolstered by the refurbishment of the existing beach groyne on the Koombana Bay foreshore, which is included in the breakwater contract and could be extended as part of a possible future Koombana Bay marina.”
Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport David Michael said “I am looking forward to Bunbury having a future marine servicing precinct that will provide commercial opportunities, as well as delivering an improved area for locals and visitors to enjoy.
“We’re implementing a works program that will have many long-term benefits for the local community. 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.
“Once complete, there will be vehicle and bus access to the fishing platform and pedestrian access to the full length of the breakwater.”
