AN impressive and exciting waterfront development was unveiled on Thursday, October 1 which painted a modern city with a vibrant water’s edge.
The first part of the plan will be a $22 million development from the Dolphin Discovery Centre and improving the public space at Koombana Bay.
The existing Dolphin Discovery Centre site will be transformed into a multi-use facility and managing director David Kerr said it would change the way the whole centre operates.
“It is significantly larger than what we currently have now – the key features are a commercial kitchen with restaurant and cafe capabilities to the beach. There will also be a visitor centre, a function space and access to all of those areas will be free,” Mr Kerr said.
“The only paid part will be a new interpretive experience and we are looking to put a significant investment into bringing technology and nature together and that’s what will make it a contemporary experience at a world class level.”
Earth Story has designed the inside interpretive experience at the centre and he said visitors will think they are in a different place.
Mr Kerr said these sorts of technologies will have a wow effect on people and he hopes they will go around the world talking about the experience they had in Bunbury.
The centre will boost the local economy on many levels, including 50 full time employment positions created during construction and 73 jobs associated with the operations, Mr Kerr said.
The centre struggles through the winter months but this new plan was a bullet proof model which will provide an income all year round from other parts of the business like the function centre and restaurant, he said.
“The objective is about sustainability, the Dolphin Discovery Cen-tre is our long term sustainable competitive advantage in the tourism market and we need to make sure that continues to deliver good benefits for the city,” Mr Kerr said.
“52 per cent of the visitors to the Dolphin Discovery Centre are from overseas and they are the most profitable, if we can grow that it will be a positive for us.”
Mr Kerr said they proposed a start date for early next year once government funding had been approved.
He said having the first part of the plan underway would give the community faith for the rest of the development.
South West Develop-ment Commission chief executive officer Don Punch said the Dolphin Discovery Centre was a springboard to driving growth into the CBD.
He said they would link the development into the land areas on Koombana Drive with high quality landscaping and public amenities.
“The area will allow people to picnic, play and have direct access to the waterfront by building over the railway line,” Mr Punch said.
“It will include an amphitheatre, where we can start to look at having events on the beach.
“Part of the plan is looking at developing the Breakwater at Koombana Bay.”
THE second stage will continue on to a multi-million-dollar development of Casuarina Harbour and will be transformed into a multi-use area.
SWDC chief executive officer Don Punch said behind the harbour there will be revamped trailer boat facilities with six additional trailer boat ramps.
Sitting behind is a new marine infrastructure which will provide for boat maintenance and repair, Mr Punch said.
“Overall, the plan has tried to balance the needs of the boating and marine industry of Bunbury, with the needs of people who want to enjoy a coastal lifestyle,” Mr Punch said.
“Once complete, we hope to have a bustling recreational, tourism and marine hub that will grow business and jobs, and further enhance Bunbury’s appeal as a great place to live and visit.”
To have your say on the vision, complete the online survey at swdc.wa.gov.au before 9am on Thursday October 29.
Printed copies of the survey can be requested by contacting SWDC on 9792 2000 or info@swdc.wa.gov.au or by visiting SWDC on the 9th floor of the Bunbury Tower.
