The state government has unveiled its draft proposal for the redevelopment of the Busselton foreshore as part of a growth and revitalisation strategy for the area, and to subsidise its $6 million contribution towards restoring the Busselton Jetty.
The state government has unveiled its draft proposal for the redevelopment of the Busselton foreshore as part of a growth and revitalisation strategy for the area, and to subsidise its $6 million contribution towards restoring the Busselton Jetty.
Stakeholder meetings and public information sessions got under way in Busselton last week, with community members presented with details of the proposed developments, designed by urban planners Taylor Burnell Barnett in conjunction with the Busselton Jetty Working Group.
The working group, made up of representatives from the Shire of Busselton, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, LandCorp, Tourism WA and the South West Development Commission, was established in May this year to explore funding options for the jetty restoration.
A three-way funding split was proposed for the $18 million jetty restoration project, with a contribution of $6 million each from the shire, the state government and the federal government.
The concept plan for the foreshore area sought to extend and intensify activity in the area, with the proposal including a new beach cafe, board-walk, playground, two- or three-storey residential/mixed-use buildings, possibly incorporating cafes, restaurants and short-term accommodation.
Other considerations include a music shell/amphitheatre, a tramway extending through the town and a four-star, 300-bed hotel.
The proposal marks three storeys as a maximum for foreshore residential and mixed-use buildings.
Minister for the South West, Norm Marlborough, said the development had the potential to attract between $100 million and $200 million of new investment to the town, and urged the community to keep the big picture in mind when considering the draft proposals.
“Your kids are leaving… [Busselton] is in danger of becoming the biggest retirement village in the country,” Mr Marlborough said.
“We don’t want to make Busselton into another Gold Coast… it’s about quiet places, it’s about environment, recreating with family, and creating viable opportunities for future generations.”
He said the government needed a solid return on its investment of taxpayers’ money to fund the jetty repairs.
The current concept plan could yield between $21 million and $31 million for the government, with costs associated with relocations, acquisition of land, civil works and environmental assessments estimated at between $55 million and $60 million.
Mr Marlborough said the social and economic benefits for the town far outweighed the costs, and that the federal government had an obligation to contribute to the project.
“The jetty is a national icon, and funding ought to be from the federal government’s coffers,” he said.
“If we can achieve this, it will once again make Busselton the tourism icon of the South West.”
Shire president Kevin Douglas said that, 18 months ago, the shire recognised that the jetty was in urgent need of repair, and that the work required was beyond its financial capabilities.
After signing off on its $6 million contribution, the shire then called on the state and federal governments to each match the contribution.
“[This project] is important to the community through its economic flow-on benefits, creating jobs and bringing in tourism,” Mr Douglas said.
A shire delegation will head to Canberra next week to meet with the federal government to discuss its funding commitment.
