Water playground and Bay highlight Budget

Bunbury’s long-awaited water playground and ambitious plans for the Koombana Bay precinct are highlights of the 2016-17 Budget set to be adopted tonight.

If endorsed, the near $90 million Budget will be one of the Bunbury City Council’s biggest yet thanks to the $12.5 million boost as part of the Koombana Bay Redevelopment Project.

Mayor Gary Brennan described the proposed $89 million Budget as “slightly higher” than last year’s $75.7 million Budget, but it was dependent on potential land sales.

Those land sales could include a block of land at Lot 66 Ocean Drive and the former Punchbowl Caravan Park. The biggest cost proposed is $7.3 million for the water playground, despite Mr Brennan previously claiming a $7 million price tag was not accurate.

Mr Brennan told theBunbury Herald the updated budgeted amount was an “aspirational target” for the fully developed water playground and the first stage — which would include play equipment and toilets — would only cost about $4 million.

He also said the project still heavily relied on State and Federal funding and if both governments did not step in and help financially, the water playground could possibly be negated.

“If we don’t get funding this financial year, I doubt it would proceed,” he said.

“But I’m optimistic the State Election next year will be good incentive for that funding.”

While Mr Brennan did not want to discuss the Budget in depth before it was adopted, he did say there was a lot in the proposal to be excited about.

The council previously agreed on a 4.5 per cent increase in rates, which is expected to be formally adopted as part of the Budget.

Other key projects include $5.1 million for the Koombana Drive upgrade, $4.6 million for the Koombana Bay Foreshore and $826,000 for the footpath and cycleway program.