The boat ramp at Casuarina Boat Harbour has been reopened after the completion of a $1.1 million upgrade, providing skippers based in the South West with a significantly improved launching experience in time for summer.
The two-month transformation, which has seen the old fixed timber jetty replaced with a floating jetty with a two-lane ramp – to better accommodate large trailers and wide vessels – delivers the first project in the larger $78.1 million Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront Stage 3 Phase 1 (TBW 3.1).
The facility manager – Department of Transport – awarded Australind-based company SMC Marine the design and construction contract in August, to modernise the 28-year-old boat ramp at the harbour. Additional work to upgrade the boat ramp parking facilities – as well as provide toilets onsite – is planned for next winter.
As part of TBW 3.1, breakwaters are proposed for Casuarina Boat Harbour and Koombana Bay. This phase of the project would also see the construction of serviced lease sites for marine commercial activities such as boat lifting, servicing and storage – as well as community facilities including toilets at Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp and recreational platforms at Koombana Bay.
The Department of Transport was the project delivery agency for the boat ramp facility upgrade. The South West Development Commission oversees the overall Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project.
