CONSTRUCTION begins on new splash park at Discovery Parks Koombana Bay

As part of the Discovery Parks caravan park expansion on lot 1881, Koombana Drive, a shipwreck-themed park will be constructed at the same time as new accommodation.

In a ceremony on Tuesday, Discovery Parks Regional Operations Manager David Tempy met with City of Bunbury Chief Executive Malcolm Osborne at the foreshore.

G'Day Group Communications Manager Jessica Playford told the Mail that the project had been organised in close partnership with Bunbury council.

"The nice thing about the expansion is that it's a joint investment between Discovery and the council. The splash park will be free for the community to use so it'll be a great asset," Ms Playford said.

The City of Bunbury invested $700,000, with the $1 million difference made up by Discovery Parks.

Discovery Parks invested $8.5 million into an accomodation development that will see 26 new cabins, 38 powered camping sites, a multi-use dining and recreation room and new landscaping.

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the splash park would be another draw card for the city and that it would provide both social and economic benefits.

"The new playground and upgraded facilities provided by the city at Sykes Foreshore are already proving popular among locals and visitors, and this area will only get better once the splash park is open to the community," Mayor Brennan said.

Ms Playford squashed any rumours about potential eviction of long term tenants at the Koombana Bay park, despite similar circumstances at Discovery Parks' property in Coogee resulting in tenant eviction.

In January 2020, the Mail reported that residents were concerned in regards to an internal road system that could have caused risk to the elderly and holidaymakers.

"There were some questions being asked last year from residents about new roadways becoming too close to residents houses, but these were re routed and the issue was resolved," Ms Playford said.

Work is is set to be complete by the end of the year.