$500,000 dolphin discovery centre for Bunbury

9/9/93

A $500,000 Dolphin Discovery Centre is expected to be operating on Bunbury's North Shore by April next year.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Commerce and Trade Hendy Cowan said today that a contract for construction of the building had been let to Bunbury builder Devaugh Pty Ltd and work was expected to begin immediately.

Mr Cowan said the building cost would be funded by the South West Development Authority as part of the South-West Eco-Museum concept that aimed to see a string of centres and sites throughout the region.  These centres would provide interpretation of the natural environment for residents and visitors.

"The Dolphin Discovery Centre - the first component of the eco-museum - will focus on the marine environment of Koombana Bay and surrounding areas, with an emphasis on the dolphins that live in the bay," he said.

"The building will provide interpretive displays and an audio-visual presentation in a theatrette, as well as facilities for the 70,000-plus people who already visit the Dolphin Beach to see the dolphins in their natural environment.

"Once completed, it is expected that visitor numbers will increase dramatically, giving Bunbury a significant new tourist attraction that will provide employment and income opportunities for local people and businesses."

Mr Cowan said the building of limestone, timber and corrugated metal roofing had been designed by local architect Brian Delfs and Associates and incorporated passive solar design elements to reduce heating and cooling costs.

"The design is in keeping with the building's role as an eco-museum," he said.

Mr Cowan said that the South West Development Authority would own the Dolphin Discovery Centre and would negotiate a lease agreement with the Bunbury Dolphin Trust.

The Dolphin Discovery Centre would be the first 'bricks-and-mortar' development associated with the Bunbury Harbour City Plan.

Work so far on the plan has included roadworks, earthworks, landscaping, removal of the grey wheat silos and servicing of the former caravan park site before its release to the private sector for development as tourist accommodation and associated facilities.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595