Moving boardwalk to roadside a step in the right direction

More than 16 years after it was built, the George Baxter Boardwalk is posing a potential safety concern and will be demolished as part of upgrades.

The foundations of the boardwalk are eroding and gaps between the timber boards on the walkway are continuing to widen.

The boardwalk, which was built in 2000, will be replaced with a land-based path as part of the Koombana Drive upgrades.

Bunbury City Council works and services director Gavin Harris said upgrading the walkway would benefit the entire community.

“The city views replacing the boardwalk with a new dual use, land-based path as the best way to continue to provide the community with access around the Leschenault Inlet,” he said.

The popular walkway has been eroding much like Koombana Drive itself, which was found to be crumbling at the edges last year.

“Tidal motion and storm water run-off have resulted in erosion, which has exposed the foundations of the boardwalk pylons and compromised the integrity of the structure,” Mr Harris said.

“Some of the timber (on the walkway) is also showing signs of deterioration as it has been exposed to the elements since 2000.”

He said the council anticipated the majority of the timber would be reused in other projects around Bunbury.

The walkway will be closed during the estimated five month project and the council is encouraging those who use it regularly to look at alternative routes.

“The city understands that the community will be inconvenienced during the 20 weeks of work on Koombana Drive, however people looking to continue their walk, ride or run can find a list of alternative routes via the Walk-it Bunbury map,” Mr Harris said.

Walk-it Bunbury map .