Rock works on a new northern breakwater at Bunbury Casuarina Boat Harbour in Western Australia have been completed, ahead of the next construction stage planned for 2026.
The 460-metre breakwater is within Bunbury Casuarina Boat Harbour, located between the city’s central business district, the Outer Harbour and Koombana Bay.
Construction followed dredging of the seabed footprint in late 2024, when more than 120,000 cubic metres of material were relocated. The breakwater required close to a year of construction and used about 290,000 tonnes of core rock and 65,000 tonnes of armour rock. Stone was supplied from quarries at Roelands, Byford, Shenton Ridge and Jarrahdale.
Permanent navigation aids have been installed on the breakwater and at the end of Jetty Road. The aids support vessel movements through the harbour entrance.
Stage 3 of the Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project includes the new breakwater and upgrades to the Koombana groyne under a $69.2 million AUD ($45.8 million USD) contract. Western Australian companies WA Limestone Contracting and Italia Stone Group worked on the project, which was supported by a $112.2 million AUD investment from the Cook Government.
The next stage of works is scheduled to begin in 2026 and will involve roads and services intended to improve access to the area. Plans also include a fishing platform on the northern side of the breakwater, with an estimated cost of $4 million AUD.
Design work for the fishing platform and surrounding precinct has been completed. The scope includes parking and supporting facilities. Tenders are expected to be called early next year. Discussions are also underway regarding a possible boat lifting and servicing operation at the breakwater.
Bunbury Casuarina Boat Harbour includes recreational and commercial boating activities. Facilities include 57 boat pens ranging from 10-20 metres in length, a service jetty, swing moorings, a slipway and a two-lane boat ramp. The harbour area also includes public amenities such as shaded areas, barbecues and toilets, and is used for swimming, fishing and other water-based activities.
