State Government's $28.9 million pledge to Bunbury

The State Government hopes the construction of a purpose-built facility for the Department of Parks and Wildlife in Bunbury will continue to turn the city into a contemporary and modern location.

Premier Colin Barnett visited the city this morning to announce the government would put $28.9 million towards the project, nearly $11 million more than first announced last year.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman and Environment Minister Albert Jacob were also in Bunbury for the announcement.

Mr Barnett said it was the first time in WA’s history that an entire government department would be relocated to Bunbury, with the first stage involving landscaping, recreation and environmental works, which would be completed during mid-2017.

“In early 2017, construction of the first office building will begin and it will house 100 employees,” he said.

“Progressively over the next few years that number will rise to 300 and the department will be fully headquartered in Bunbury and it will serve as the gateway to the South West.”

Mr Barnett said Bunbury’s population, facilities and location near the coastline and forest areas made it the perfect location for the DPaW headquarters.

“I’m sure existing employees in DPaW will want to come to live in Bunbury and others will join and they will have the benefits of well-paid, highly professional work located in a regional setting and the great lifestyle that goes with it,” he said.

Mr Redman said he expected the project to generate $75 million worth of direct economic activity into Bunbury when it was completed in about 10 years.

“We have a challenge in getting a lot of our universities to locate significant facilities and staff into regional WA but having a pathway into employment, such as a government agency like DPaW gives us that drive,” he said.

“This facility will be finished in 2018 with 100 staff and then we will see another 200 staff in due course.

“What’s happening with waterfront, makes the area iconic and makes it into a different Bunbury from it used to be – it will be very attractive and contemporary.”

Mr Jacob said the State Government was delivering more than its 2013 election commitment with the project.

“With all the work going into the site, it will truly become the headquarters of the Department of Parks and Wildlife,” he said.