Concept plan for Marlston Waterfront Precinct, Bunbury, unveiled

9/9/97

A concept plan for the Marlston Waterfront Precinct in Bunbury was unveiled by Lands Minister Doug Shave today.

Mr Shave said the plan was the latest milestone in the Marlston Hill Redevelopment Project being undertaken by LandCorp.

The concept plan links the Bunbury CBD with the waterfront and Marlston Hill precincts.

"It will provide Bunbury residents with additional social and recreational choices and promote the city as an attractive and cosmopolitan tourist destination," Mr Shave said.

The Marlston Hill Project was designed to offer greater lifestyle diversity to Bunbury residents and promote economic growth through tourism and commercial opportunities.

"This project is a key part of the Government's vision for Bunbury and for other regional centres around the State," Mr Shave said.

The plan details a blend of uses from the CBD to the waterfront, a grid network sympathetic to the existing city centre and is the final link - visual and functional - between Marlston Hill and the city centre.

There are four significant areas of public open space, including an upgraded children's beach, a waterfront promenade and a market square.

Mr Shave said the character of the Marlston waterfront would be typically urban and the plan was rich in opportunities for community involvement through public art programs similar to those already evident within the wider project area.

"Marlston Hill is arguably the most successful urban redevelopment program undertaken in regional Western Australia," he said.

"This success is attributable to a whole of Government approach at all levels - Federal, State and local."

Local Member Ian Osborne joined Mr Shave in applauding the Government's commitment to Bunbury and the high quality of design and infrastructure LandCorp had incorporated in the project.

"The South West Development Commission, the City of Bunbury, LandCorp and the local community have all been very supportive of the project and instrumental in its success," Mr Osborne said.

"The local community looks forward to the creation of this exiciting waterfront precinct which will reflect Bunbury's growing sophistication and will enhance the city's appeal to tourists."

Media contact: Anabel Gomez 9366 0300 or 9222 9595