Bunbury Beach upgrade nears completion
A five-year plan to transform Bunbury’s Back Beach from a pedestrian-unfriendly sea of bitumen to an attractive place for people is on the homeward stretch.
The finished Bunbury Coastal Enhancement Project will have cost about $16 million, of which 85 per cent was funded by the State Government and South West Development Commission.
The end result of project the will be transformation of the 2.2km stretch of beach and foreshore from Clifton to Hayward streets.
Stage One, the creation of Wyalup/Rocky Point, was completed in 2003.
Stage Two, around the surf club area and beachfront to Baldock Street was completed in 2005.
This final stage, from Baldock to Hayward Streets is expected to be finished by Christmas 2007.
This stage includes:
- Increasing recreational space between the beach and Ocean Drive by reducing Ocean Drive from dual to a single lane boulevard.
- BBQs, seating, showers, toilets, revegetated dunes and landscaping.
- Traffic calming, Hayward Street roundabout, separated beach side car parks and improved pedestrian safety.
- A series of sea walls have been installed to protect car parks and roads from erosion during storms.
- Stormwater disposed of into soakwells under Ocean Drive.
- Beach access via strategically located ramps.
- Interpretive signage on Bunbury Back Beach history.