Stage 2 of waterfront development announced for Bunbury

Bunbury, the city of three waters, will realise its potential for commercial development and investment as the waterfront revitalisation gets under way, according to Bunbury MLA John Castrilli.

This comes after Premier Colin Barnett announced a $20.7 million investment in stage two of the Waterfront Development today.

A month ago Mr Barnett announced $24.9 million for stage one of the waterfront development along Koombana Bay, including an upgrade of the Dolphin Discovery Centre.

Stage two of the waterfront development includes Casuarina Drive, the boardwalks, Jetty Road, public open space and projects to reduce coastal erosion.

“It will be a beacon for people who want to come and live, invest and enjoy living in the City of Bunbury,” Mr Castrilli said.

“We’re going to have great residential developments in the future, a new marine industry and I think it’s positive, fantastic news.”

Mr Barnett said these developments would be the most significant change to the waterfront area the Bunbury community had seen.

“What it will mean for Bunbury people is great recreational space, better access to the beaches, beautiful beachfront areas and that will be important in attracting visitors to come and enjoy Bunbury and the wider hinterland,” he said.

“I compliment the South West Development Commission and in particular the City of Bunbury in the way in which they have worked on this project and worked with the State Government.”

Regional Development and Lands Minister Terry Redman said the project added to the $600 million Growing Our South Initiative funded through the Royalties for Regions program.

He said the full scope of the project was not yet finalised but was still being worked on.

“In a very short period of time we have committed to the first two stages, it should give Bunbury the confidence we are supporting a significant regional city,” Mr Redman said.

“It is a significant milestone to head towards, what will be a great precinct here in Bunbury, supporting what is a significant regional centre for us and in itself will be supportive of the economy.

“Overtime you will see commercial development, commercial private sector development strengthening the local economy on what we already have here in Bunbury.”

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the Bunbury community was experiencing a wonderful feeling of confidence and he expected more investment in the city.

“When the Government gets behind our city like it has done today, the previous announcement and more to come I would suspect, it strengthens our community in lots of ways,” he said.

“The city council last week announced a selection of a tender to start the redevelopment of Koombana Drive, a $3 million reconstruction program and that reconstruction will lead into Koombana North and building of the Parks and Wildlife headquarters.”