Playground adds to Bay appeal

Another piece of the Koombana Bay puzzle has been revealed with an all abilities playground to be part of the plan to revitalise Bunbury’s waterfront.

A $600,000 grant from Lotterywest, in addition to the $45.6 million already allocated to Stage One and Two of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project, was presented by Bunbury MLA John Castrilli to Mayor Gary Brennan on Tuesday.

Mr Castrilli said the playground would attract visitors to Bunbury, along with providing another focal point to the city.

“Having interesting facilities along the foreshore encourages people to explore further,” he said.

“They might start at the playground and meander up to the Dolphin Discovery Centre.

“It’s about activating the public open spaces and providing points of interest along the foreshore to encourage people to stay longer.

“All the elements of the waterfront project are coming together and when the final jigsaw is complete, it will offer a fantastic package of enhanced facilities for residents and visitors alike.”

Mr Castrilli said the playground was inspired by the natural environment to offer challenging experiences to children and early teens.

Bunbury City Council assets and project manager James Shepherd said a final design would be released soon.

“The playground is 1000sqm and will have an accessible component with direct beach access,” he said.

Mayor Gary Brennan said the playground would be up and running for summer at the end of next year and it would be an attraction for people from throughout the Greater Bunbury area.

He said it would be fully accessible to children of all physical and mental abilities.

“We’ll be able to take people with physical disabilities right into the water,” he said.

“In a few years time this whole area will be totally transformed.”

The Bunbury City Council at Tuesday night’s meeting revealed its support for a public art component at Koombana Bay.

Mr Brennan said consultation with indigenous elders in the area had taken place, to complement the design of the Dolphin Discovery Centre and the kiosk where a mural art display would be considered.