Local Government Minister John Castrilli today announced funding for the Bunbury Timber Jetty will be de-coupled from the Bunbury Waterfront project, paving the way for work to commence on the heritage structure within the next few months.

Mr Castrilli said the deteriorating condition of the jetty had become an urgent public safety matter and, given the length of time it would take to secure planning approvals for the Bunbury Waterfront project, the only viable option had been to separate it from the project to enable work to commence as a matter of priority.

Under LandCorp’s overall Bunbury Waterfront development budget, $3.5million had been set aside for works to the jetty, to match a further $3.5million contribution from the City of Bunbury.

Following today’s Regional Cabinet in Bunbury, the Minister said he was delighted to announce that Cabinet had approved separating the jetty from the overall Bunbury Waterfront project, with the $3.5million funding contribution now coming through a separate arrangement with LandCorp.
Under the new agreement, the city will take on all responsibility for any works to the jetty structure.

“Today’s resolution to the critical issue of the jetty is a great outcome for Bunbury, an outcome that was achieved as a result of all parties coming together to think outside the square in developing a solution,” the Minister said.

The State Government’s $3.5million capped contribution for works to the Bunbury Jetty is in addition to its previous $1million contribution in 1997 when the Bunbury Timber Jetty licence was transferred to the City of Bunbury.