Stage 3 Phase 1 of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project (TBW Stage 3.1) works will include delivery of:
- community facilities, such as toilets and upgraded boat launching facilities
- dredging works
- a new breakwater at Casuarina Boat Harbour (CBH) and upgrade of the Koombana Bay groyne,
- landside works including the extension of Casuarina Drive and installation of services across the harbour, and
- serviced lease-lots to accommodate marine servicing facilities, supporting boat lifting, servicing and storage.
The new infrastructure will support future development and attract investment into the marine industry at CBH, providing long-term assets for the community to enjoy.
State Government funding of $112.2 million has been allocated to the project.
In addition, a $4 million universal access fishing platform will be built following the construction of the new northern breakwater. To be located on the northern side about one third along the 460-metre breakwater, the platform will be positioned adjacent to a special precinct to be developed on the breakwater supporting the needs of users including people of all abilities and carers.
Project overview
The Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project is creating new shoreline destinations and infrastructure to stimulate thriving marine and tourism industries.
Since the initial visions for the project were unveiled to in 2015, the multi-stage project has steadily made the leap from blueprint to reality.
The South West Development Commission (SWDC) is the lead agency for the Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront project. Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) is the delivery agency for TBW Stage 3.1 and is working closely with the SWDC.
As part of Stage 2 of the Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project, DTMI delivered and completed the major redevelopment of the Jetty Road causeway and upgrades to the Casuarina Drive foreshore.
In December 2022, DTMI completed a $1.1 million upgrade to the boat ramp at CBH – the first works project in TBW Stage 3.1, providing significantly improved launching experience for local skippers. Further work on the trailer park was completed in 2023.
A design and construct contract was awarded to a local Aboriginal business for the construction of a new toilet facility adjacent to the upgraded boat ramp in the southern precinct and this was completed in December 2024.
Project status
Following the delivery of the boat ramp upgrade, trailer park upgrade and the delivery of the new toilet block, DTMI is proceeding with further upgrades within the harbour.
New Bunbury breakwater rock work now complete
The rock work on the new 460 metre northern breakwater at the CBH has been completed on schedule and budget, clearing the way for the implementation of roads, services and the planned fishing platform.
Completion of the breakwater rock structure followed initial dredging of its footprint in late 2024 relocating more than 120,000 cubic metres of material, and more than a year of work to place 290,000 tonnes of core rock and 65,000 tonnes of armour sourced from quarries at Roelands, Byford, Shenton Ridge and Jarrahdale.
Marking this important milestone in the ongoing transformation of Bunbury’s waterfront, new permanent navigation aids have been installed on the breakwater and at the end of Jetty Road to assist skippers as they navigate the entrance to the harbour.
Koombana Bay groyne upgrade now complete
Work to upgrade the groyne at Koombana Bay has been completed, realising another important milestone in the ongoing transformation of Bunbury’s waterfront.
Undertaken as part of the $69.2 million contract awarded for the construction of a new northern breakwater at CBH, the previously unsafe and dilapidated groyne has been completely rebuilt with an additional 21,000 tonnes of rock. The upgrade also paves the way for the potential realisation of long-held plans for private investment in a multi-club facility at Koombana Bay, provided further environmental studies support the development.
Project timeline
With the completed breakwater now in place, work will start in 2026 on the roads and services that will be required for public access to the breakwater and future development of the area as planned.
Design work is also complete for the accessible fishing platform precinct with parking and other facilities and tenders will be called early next year.
