Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront - Environmental Review
Submit your comments by June 26 2023
New life is being breathed into Bunbury’s waterfront. And it’s all thanks to the State Government’s Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project.
We lead the multi-agency project team responsible for delivering the three-stage initiative that is transforming coastal areas stretching from Koombana Bay to Casuarina Boat Harbour.
Since the initial concept for the project was unveiled in 2015, the vision for Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront has been making the leap from blueprint to reality.
Locals and visitors alike are enjoying the enhanced Koombana Foreshore, redeveloped Dolphin Discovery Centre and upgraded Jetty Road Causeway – all of which have been delivered through Stage 1 of the project.
With Stage 1, plus the Stage 2A Jetty Road Causeway upgrade component now complete, efforts are now focused on components of the remaining stages, including the Casuarina Drive Redevelopment.
Stimulating the economy through boosting the tourism and marine industry sectors are important outcomes of this project. Throughout the timeline of the project, there has also been an emphasis on maximising job opportunities and tenders for locals.
The local community is reaping the rewards of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront in a variety of ways. Benefits include improved public amenity, better facilities, upgraded spaces to spent time in, and the creation of jobs during construction and operation.
Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront is overseen by the South West Development Commission, working in partnership with Department of Transport, DevelopmentWA, City of Bunbury and Southern Ports.
Project stages
1. Koombana Foreshore Revitalisation – Complete
The Koombana Bay foreshore has been greatly enhanced with:
- Children’s playground and community facilities
- Improved open space including areas for pop-up vendors, markets and concerts
- An amphitheatre for beach concerts and events
- Upgraded kiosk and public facilities
- A replacement pedestrian bridge over The Plug.
Status: Officially reopened February 3 2018. Named Park of the Year in the Parks and Leisure WA Awards of Excellence for 2018.
2. Dolphin Discovery Centre Redevelopment – Complete
A major upgrade and redevelopment has transformed this popular tourist attraction:
- Striking new-look building offers a wow’ factor to one of the main approaches into the city centre
- Interpretative centre incorporating aquariums, 360-degree Digital Dolphinarium, children’s activities
- Cafe/restaurant
- Gift shop
- Function rooms.
Status: Officially reopened February 2019.
1. Jetty Road Causeway Upgrade – Complete
The two-year project was delivered in two phases and involved major repairs to the causeway including the placement of thousands of tonnes of rock to strengthen the structure:
- Reconstruction of Jetty Road
- Penholder facility and public toilets
- 164 new car parking bays
- Improvements to utilities including power and water
- Introduction of shared paths and landscaping.
Status: Officially opened December 2020.
2. Casuarina Drive Redevelopment – Underway
Work is underway to revitalise the precinct and offer modern public amenities to locals and visitors alike through three distinct scopes of work:
- Scope 1: Landscaping and revitalisation works at Jetty Baths Park
- Scope 2: Civil works including road, parking and services upgrade
- Scope 3: Landscaping and revitalisation works for the remaining length of Casuarina Harbour and Casuarina Beach.
Status: Jetty Baths Park was officially opened in December 2021. Scope 2 has also been completed.
1. Phase 1 – Planned
Infrastructure to support future development of the marine industry and provide long-term assets for the community to enjoy will be delivered including:
- New breakwaters at Casuarina Boat Harbour and Koombana Bay requiring around 200,000 tonnes of armour rock and 450,000 tonnes of core rock to be transported to site;
- Serviced lease sites at Casuarina Boat Harbour for marine commercial activities such as boat lifting, boat servicing and boat storage; and
- Community facilities such as toilets at Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp and fishing and swimming platforms at Koombana Bay.
Status: Works completed on new Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp facility. Forms part of the delivery of Stage 3.1.
Useful information & documents
Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront is a State Government project led by the South West Development Commission. The project is being delivered in partnership with multiple agencies.
When the vision for transforming the waterfront was unveiled to the public in October 2015, we invited the community to have their say. About 95 per cent of those who took up the opportunity to provide feedback indicated approval for the concept. That vision has made the leap from reality – and the community is now enjoying the benefits.
Main document
AU213001693.004_Strategic public environmental review_Rev 1_230510_Report
Appendices
01 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records9173
02 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records14560
03 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records42005
04 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records14558
05 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records14559
06 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records17729
07 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records29831
08 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records61204
09 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records71307
10 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records71750
11 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records73089
12 – Basic_Summary_Of_Records76167
App. A Casuarina Masterplan Community Consultation
App. B TBW Vision Public Consultation
App. C Environmental Scoping Document
App. D Review of Past Water and Sediment Quality Data
App. E Baseline Water Quality Monitoring
App. F Marine Environmental Quality Modelling
App. G Sediment and Marine Water Quality Sampling of the Leschenault Inlet
App. H Groundwater into Casuarina Boat Harbour and KBSC marina
App. I Groundwater and Nutrient Flux Assessment, Leschenault Inlet
App. J Sampling and Analysis Plan Implementation Report, Casuarina Harbour Dredging Studies
App. K Sampling and Analysis Plan Implementation Report Dredge Spoil Sediment Sampling KBSC marina
App. L Marine Construction Monitoring and Management Plan
App. M Dredge Spoil Disposal Management Plan
App. N Marine Environmental Quality Management Plan
App. O Benthic Communities and Habitat Study
App. P Protected Matters Report
App. R Marine Fauna Management Plan
App. S Invasive Marine Species Survey
App. T Underwater Noise Assessment
App. U Coastal Processes Impact Assessment
App. V Coastal Processes Management Plan
App. W Coastal Processes Peer Review
App. Y Greenhouse Gas Assessment
Koombana Bay Marine Structures
(15/05/23 – 26/06/23)
The South West Development Commission is proposing an upgrade to the marine structures that are intended to meet existing demand and future requirements for small craft maritime infrastructure. This includes new mooring facilities for commercial and recreational vessels, floating jetties, a boat servicing facility, improved public ablution facilities, upgraded boat launching and storage facilities and the Dolphin Discovery Centre finger jetty.
The South West Development Commission has prepared the Environmental Review Document in accordance with EPA procedures and is released for public review. The Environmental Review Document describes the proposal, the likely environmental impacts and the proposed management measures.
Hard copies of the document may be purchased for $10 (including postage), or a CD version is available free of charge from:
The South West Development Commission
Level 9, 61 Victoria St, Bunbury, WA 6230
08 9792 2000
Copies of the document may also be downloaded from www.epa.wa.gov.au or https://www.swdc.wa.gov.au/project/transforming-bunburys-waterfront/.
Copies of the document will be available for examination at:
- The City of Bunbury Public Library
- State and Battye libraries
The EPA prefers submissions to be made electronically via the EPA’s Consultation Hub at https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au.
Alternatively submissions can be:
- posted to: Chairman, Environmental Protection Authority, Locked Bag 10, Joondalup DC, WA 6919, or
- delivered to: the Environmental Protection Authority, Prime House, 8 Davidson Terrace, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027
The closing date for public submissions is: Monday 26th June 2023.
EOI Business Opportunity
Local Content
Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront has a strong track record for providing work opportunities for local businesses. Examples include:
Dolphin Discovery Centre Redevelopment: Bunbury contractor Perkins Builders delivered the redevelopment from designs by Bunbury practice MCG Architects. A total of 46 local contractors and suppliers worked on the project, with 204 workers involved in construction including eight apprentices.
- To be placed on the Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront business register for the Casuarina Drive Redevelopment, click here.
