Casuarina Boat Ramp set to close for two months for $1.1 million upgrade, part of $78.1 million project

Bunbury’s Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp is set to close for two months after the State Government awarded a $1.1 million contract to upgrade the almost 30-year-old facility. The State Government said for safety reasons the boat ramp would need to be temporarily closed for about two months and the Department of Transport would provide notice to users in advance and suggest alternative launch sites. The upgrade of the Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp is the first step in the State Government’s $78.1 million Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront 3 Phase 1 project — which the Goverment said would include new breakwaters, community facilities and serviced lease sites for commercial marine activities. Last Tuesday, the Government announced the $1.1 million contract to upgrade Casuarina Boat Harbour boat ramp had been awarded to local WA company SMC Marine, which previously worked on the Augusta Boat Harbour. The Government said the contract would see the current 28-year-old ramp and fixed timber jetty upgraded to a new modern facility, with a floating jetty and two-lane ramp designed to better accommodate big trailers and wider vessels. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the broader Transforming Bunbury Waterfront project included key infrastructure to support future development of the marine industry and provide long-term assets for the community to enjoy and benefit from. “Our further commitment of $78.1 million in the first phase of Stage 3 will have ongoing economic and social benefits for the local community and the region,” she said. “My department will oversee the project and will work with users to ensure the impact of the temporary closure is limited, as design work continues on the Casuarina Boat Harbour and Koombana Bay breakwaters.” Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan congratulated SMC Marine. “The upgraded boat ramp will provide a safer launch facility for the region’s growing boating community,” she said. Bunbury MLA Don Punch said he was “really looking forward” to seeing the work begin. “It’s great to see a new ramp at Casuarina Boat Harbour built by a local company for local boaties,” he said. “The initial boat ramp project will provide a further economic boost for the local economy and employ a regional workforce.”