Tenders are now open to upgrade the boat ramp at Casuarina Boat Harbour, marking the start of delivery of the $78.1 million Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront (TBW) Stage 3.
The 28-year-old ramp and fixed timber jetty will be upgraded to a modern facility with a floating jetty and two-lane ramp designed to better accommodate large trailers and wide vessels.
The boat ramp will be closed during works, which will be delivered off-peak this winter.
A major upgrade of the boat ramp parking facilities is planned for the winter of 2023.
Stage 3 of the Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront includes key infrastructure to support future development of the marine industry and provide long-term assets for the community to enjoy:
- new breakwaters at Casuarina Boat Harbour and Koombana Bay requiring around 200,000 tonnes of armour rock and 450,000 tonnes of core rock to be transported to site;
- serviced lease sites at Casuarina Boat Harbour for marine commercial activities such as boat lifting, boat servicing and boat storage; and
- community facilities such as toilets at Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp and fishing and swimming platforms at Koombana Bay.
Following detailed design and environmental approval, dredging and breakwater construction is anticipated to start early 2024.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This project will deliver significantly upgraded facilities to the boating community in Bunbury and address issues currently associated with the ageing ramp which was built in 1994.
"With more than 2,678 registered recreational boat owners in Bunbury and 31,861 in the South-West region, boating is a popular pastime and we want to ensure we are providing top quality infrastructure to meet the growing demand for facilities.
"Bunbury is well known for its proximity to the beautiful waterfront, and this new facility will be enjoyed for many generations to come."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"TBW Stage 3 continues the conversion of Bunbury's foreshore into a buzzing waterfront precinct offering recreational, tourism, boating and employment opportunities.
"This project is an early milestone for this stage of the Waterfront development, as design work progresses on the Casuarina Boat Harbour and Koombana Bay breakwaters to provide the critical infrastructure required for further public and private investment in the precinct.
"The State Government's investment of more than $45 million in the first two stages of the project, together with this further commitment of $78.1 million into Stage 3, will help Bunbury to reach its true potential."
As stated by Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
"I have been very aware for some time of the boating community's need for new and improved ramp facilities and I know this project will be welcomed by the Bunbury community.
"It is exciting to see work on Stage 3 of the Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront getting underway, as this project will completely change the way our community interacts with our marine environment.
"This is another example of the State Government making strategic investments in Bunbury that will overhaul our community facilities and create local jobs now and into the future."
