4.1 An Explanation

Adopted in 2023, Bunbury Port Masterplan provides an umbrella overview in a 30-year time horizon, being responsive to emerging markets and deliver on the port’s key role to facilitate trade.

Bunbury Port is a critical component of the transport supply chain and it is well placed for a future that looks towards more Indian Ocean markets. New demands will necessitate adaptation to ensure supply chains are effective and meet evolving needs. That puts an onus on operations to safeguard port landholdings for port-related trade in the decades ahead.

Currently operating across two sites – an Inner and Outer Harbour – there are benefits to be gained from rationalisation of the assets. Consolidation at the Inner Harbour will create economic opportunities in both locations. Capacity exists to create additional berths, move to more land-backed facilities, widen the channel to accommodate larger vessels and create an operations centre with autonomous control capability and maximising efficiency and minimising demurrage costs.

Economic gains to be enjoyed by investment in the port cannot be under-estimated and reach beyond the region to Perth. It is particularly noted that the introduction of roll on roll off services which would ease pressure on high value land at Fremantle Port, allowing for a strategic solution to Western Ports issues and utilising 400ha of port land in Bunbury.

The construction of an Intermodal Terminal (IMT) will be critical economic infrastructure serving Bunbury Port, advanced manufacturing and the efficient transfer of freight. The subject of an Infrastructure WA submission, the location of the IMT has been identified as Waterloo (DoT 2019, DPLH 2020), a strategic optimal location linking Bunbury Port, Picton, Preston and Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area. The 1,350ha Waterloo site also intersects the Bunbury Outer Ring Road, due to be completed by 2026, and existing rail infrastructure.

Additional rail corridor capacity will facilitate efficiency, reduced road usage and will improve both industry and social outcomes. The 18km Brunswick section requires duplication and grade separation as the line reaches operational capacity, while a Kemerton spur would provide rail as a transport choice. If the Greenbushes rail line is not reinstated, there will be a requirement to invest in upgrades to the South Western Highway. All upgrades would need to be considered in relation to future creation of an intermodal terminal and should be undertaken as standard gauge being the optimal choice. there will be a requirement to invest in upgrades to the South Western Highway. All upgrades would need to be considered in relation to future creation of an intermodal terminal.

The Transforming Bunbury’s waterfront (TBW) project will see Bunbury reimagined as a city connected to Geographe Bay.

Work has been ongoing and has seen early stages delivered from the Dolphin Discovery Centre and the Koombana foreshore, through to the Jetty Baths. The Jetty Road causeway upgrade has been completed.

Stage 3 of the project has progressed with the refurbishment of the boat ramp and upgrades for trailer parking at Casuarina Boat Harbour. The key piece of infrastructure will be a 460m Northern Breakwater structure, which will be constructed with more than 500,000 tonnes of rock and is critical to creating a safe, year-round facility for boats in the harbour. Preparatory works for the breakwater construction commenced in mid-2024, with design and development of the broader marine precinct (including future boat lifting, servicing and stacking) under way. Preparatory dredging will be followed by breakwater construction which is expected to start in late 2024.

Ultimately, TBW will see recreational and commercial boat pens created in the sheltered Casuarina Boat Harbour area and will spark private investment in a wide variety of marine services as well as anticipated tourism investments. The overall project will genuinely change the face of Western Australia’s second city and change perceptions as infrastructure transitions from dominantly industrial to a marine precinct and tourism drawcard.