4.4 Transformative economic infrastructure

The State Government’s Seven Cities vision is a long-term plan to boost regional development via quality infrastructure and services.

Bunbury heads the Seven Cities list of regional centres that are critical to the goal of capitalising on existing strengths and elevating the state to become a renewable energy powerhouse while producing more goods. This will be done by creating enabling infrastructure and supporting skilled local workforces. It follows that investment in housing, health, and other public services will be prioritised.

The South West can expect to benefit from:

• Additional free and low-fee TAFE courses

• Planning and common user infrastructure in the Kemerton Strategic Industrial Area

• Expansion of Bunbury Regional Hospital – the largest regional hospital construction project in WA’s history

• Key upgrades at Bunbury’s Casuarina Boat Harbour

• A commitment to establish an Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub (AMTECH) in the Picton area

• Support for increased Bunbury-Perth rail services

• Bunbury Port Optimisation Planning to boost capacity over the coming three decades

Housing availability has been identified as the next area for priority investment.

Adopted in 2023, Bunbury Port Masterplan provides an overview in a 30-year time horizon, being responsive to emerging markets and delivers on the port’s key role to facilitate trade. A renewed Bunbury Port Optimisation Plan (BPOP) provides an overview of the requirements needed to meet future growth in the region and the necessary infrastructure requirements. This plan is currently under review by State Government.

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 for supply chain efficiencies and 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 – realisation of the existing outer harbour for an extended period may be required. Capacity exists to create additional berths within the port footprint, move to more land-backed facilities, widen the channel to accommodate larger vessels and create an operations centre with autonomous control capability to maximise efficiency and minimise 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 well recognised the expanse of land over 400ha is well placed to assist with the West Coast trade demands.

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The construction of an Intermodal Terminal (IMT) will be critical economic infrastructure serving Bunbury Port, advanced manufacturing and the efficient transfer of freight into the future.

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 intersects the Wilman-Wadandi Highway and existing rail infrastructure. It also enjoys proximity with Picton and AMTECH proposals.

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 for tenants of the Strategic Industrial Area.

The investigation into a proposed Greenbushes 78km rail line reinstatement found the project is not economically viable at this time.

All upgrades would need to be considered in relation to efficiently linking in with the future creation of a South West intermodal terminal.

The Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront (TBW) project is reimagining how people experience Geographe Bay.

Since the vision was introduced, the three-stage project has continued to take shape, improving access, creating new spaces and strengthening connections among key locations from Koombana Bay to Casuarina Boat Harbour.

Initial stages have delivered a major upgrade of the Dolphin Discovery Centre, along with revitalisation of foreshore areas at Koombana Beach and Jetty Baths.

Earlier investment at Casuarina Boat Harbour saw the completion of a new northern breakwater creating a more sheltered facility for users. The Koombana groyne has been upgraded, toilets and improved parking at the boat ramp. The works followed the earlier Jetty Road upgrade and provision of a new multipurpose building as part of TBW Stage 2.

Casuarina Boat Harbour will continue its transformation during TBW Stage 3, as a regional marine and community hub with a recreation precinct to support an accessible fishing platform and to nearly double the number of boat pens.

There will also be upgrades to the harbour’s outer seawall and internal rock revetments, allowing work to raise some areas to create lots ready for commercial leasehold and activation.

Works are expected to continue through to 2029. Funding for harbour upgrades has reached $218m since 2018.