Major contract awarded for works on Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront project

The Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront (TBW) project in Western Australia has reached a new milestone with the award of a record $69.2 million work contract. 

A joint venture between Western Australia-based and owned companies WA Limestone Contracting and Italia Stone Group has been awarded the contract to build a 460-metre-long breakwater at Bunbury’s Casuarina Boat Harbour as well as undertake a dredging campaign to prepare the foundation footprint and clear the entrance channel to the reconfigured harbour. 

This is the centrepiece of the project that will underpin the rejuvenation of the harbour as a regional hub for the marine industry and deliver a vital community asset. 

The joint venture will also carry out refurbishment of the existing beach groyne on the Koombana Bay foreshore, which could be extended as part of a possible future Koombana Bay marina, following recent environmental approval. 

“This is the largest coastal infrastructure contract ever awarded by DoT (Department of Transport) and will deliver critical new infrastructure that will underpin the rejuvenation of the harbour as a regional marine hub. 

“The new breakwater will support new commercial and recreational boat pens and service wharf and create a harbour capable of sustaining a future marine servicing precinct incorporating boat lifting, boat servicing and boat storage, plus opportunities for serviced lease sites for other marine commercial activities. 

“The scale of the project is significant with the creation of the new harbour breakwater requiring about 89,000 tonnes of armour rock and 435,000 tonnes of core rock to be transported to site. 

“Every effort will be made to limit disruption to harbour users and the community as the new breakwater is delivered and we ask for understanding as we implement the works program that will have many long-term benefits for users and wider community,” Minister Assisting the Transport Minister David Michael said. 

These works are part of the broader Stage 3.1 of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront that is supported with a $78.1 million investment from the State Government. 

The Department of Transport (DoT) is the harbour manager and delivery agency for the project, and it will work closely with the lead agency South West Development Commission to build the new breakwater. 

Dredging will begin in August, and skippers navigating the harbour need to be aware of the special arrangements put in place when works begin. 

Meanwhile, construction on the new breakwater is due to begin later this year. 

“This is another milestone in the development of the waterfront as we continue to realise long-running plans to fulfill Bunbury’s potential as a coastal city, as a regionally significant marine industry hub, and as Western Australia’s second city. 

“The breakwater is the key piece of critical infrastructure needed to create sheltered waters and facilitate a marine industry hub, attracting new investment in marine commercial activities and support jobs creation. It is game-changing for Bunbury. 

“The construction of the breakwater will build on significant investment from the Cook Government to revitalise Bunbury, with a total of $78.1 million supporting Stage 3, Phase 1 of Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront,” Regional Development Minister and Bunbury MLA Don Punch said. 

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; South West Development Commission (1, 2)