Bunbury’s waterfront transformation has reached an important milestone. Nearly 300,000 tonnes of rock were placed at low level to complete the full-length construction of the new 460-metre northern breakwater at Bunbury’s Casuarina Boat Harbour.
The milestone follows the completion of dredging late last year to prepare the seabed footprint for the breakwater – the centrepiece of the Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront (TBW) project.
“It’s an exciting time as we see this critical piece of coastal infrastructure rising out of the water, reshaping the harbour and becoming a reality,” Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said. “This is an ambitious project with many opportunities already being embraced by the private sector, and these will see significant long-term benefits for the local community and the South West.”
The new structure is already providing increased shelter at the harbour ahead of winter, and in parallel, work to reclaim land at the harbour is progressing for future boat lifting and servicing lease sites.
“Construction of the breakwater builds on significant investment from the Cook Government to revitalise Bunbury, with a total of $78.1 million supporting the current Stage 3, Phase 1 of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront,” Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson said. “The Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project is changing the face of Bunbury, and the completed breakwater will further unlock the potential as a marine industry hub.
It’s estimated that a further 67,000 tonnes of rock will be needed to build the breakwater to full height. This will create a sheltered harbour with the capacity to house up to 300 future boat pens and become a regional hub for the marine industry.
Western Australian companies WA Limestone Contracting and Italia Stone Group are sourcing the rock for the project from quarries at Roelands, Byford, Shenton Ridge, and Jarrahdale. Last July, they were awarded the contract for the $69.2 million breakwater works.
The breakwater’s completion at full height is expected by the end of the year. On the northern side, a new $4 million universal access fishing platform will be built adjacent to a precinct supporting the needs of users, carers, and visitors.
People wanting more information about the project can visit www.swdc.wa.gov.au/project/transforming-bunburys-waterfront/