Playground reliant on govt, private funds

Constructon of Bunbury's proposed water playground will be reliant on millions of dollars from businesses and the State Government.

Bunbury City Council revealed the $4 million cost of the first stage of the project on Thursday night as it delivered its 2015/16 Budget.

The council will borrow $1 million for the construction but must also rely on private investment and the State Government to fund rest of the project.

Mayor Gary Brennan said companies had indicated they wanted to sponsor specific parts of the water playground or claim the naming rights.

"There are some generous people in our community and for something like the water playground, people are happy to contribute," Mr Brennan said.

The council is still awaiting a response from the State Government to an application for Royalties for Regions funding.

The water playground, to be built on the edge of the Leschenault Inlet, has been designed to open most of the year and cater for all ages.

As well as hundreds of water sprays, it would include a kiosk, changerooms and toilets.

The concept plan has a marine theme based on Bunbury's old timber jetty and includes numerous grassed areas for the public.

The council has tasked chief executive officer Andrew Brien and his staff to prepare a report, including detailed designs and costs, for councillors to consider.

The water playground development would take at least 18 months to complete - with eight to nine months for a detailed design and then another nine months for construction.

During a council meeting in May, Cr Michelle Steck claimed the cost of the full water playground, based on concept plans, was $7 million, plus an annual upkeep cost of $250,000 a year.