High-rise vision for harbour overhaul

The second stage of renovating Bunbury's waterfront will focus on a multi-million-dollar development of Casuarina Harbour.

The harbour would be transformed to include high-rise residential and mixed-use developments overlooking boat pens under the second stage of the Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront committee plan.

The multi-faceted plan includes improving Casuarina Drive, building a breakwater to protect the marina, and redeveloping Casuarina Beach.

There is no price tag yet as work is still to be finalised.

But South West Development Commission chief executive officer Don Punch agreed it would be worth more than the $22 million Koombana Beach redevelopment.

He said work on Casuarina Harbour could start in about five years at the earliest but would be completed in stages.

He was also confident developers would interested in the harbour because of strong demand for waterfront land.

"We hope to attract a significant hotel developer to invest in the area," Mr Punch said.

"It is not meant to be government officers or commercial office space - the CBD is the proper place for that kind of activity."

The breakwater will be designed to protect the harbour from strong swells in storms.