Outer Harbour concept plan released ahead of consultation

21/10/04
A concept plan aimed at encouraging discussion ahead of an upcoming stakeholder forum for the Bunbury Outer Harbour Project has been released by the Gallop Government.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the concept plan would provide a starting point for the upcoming community consultation process.
The plan deals with some of the issues raised during initial consultation and pre-feasibility, such as the potential for enhanced boating facilities.
Ms MacTiernan stressed that, at this stage, the concept plan was simply a mechanism designed to promote discussion about the site's possibilities.
The first stakeholder forum is scheduled for next month, followed by workshops.
The Minister said during preliminary consultation, Bunbury's business community had expressed strong support for plans to redevelop the city's outer harbour as a world-class harbour-side tourism and recreation destination.
"The vast majority of calls to the project's information hotline were from business people interested in the potential to establish enterprises at the harbour," she said.
"Local interest in this project is very strong."
More than 100 calls to the information line since May expressed interest in possible business opportunities generated from the Outer Harbour redevelopment.
The next highest level of interest came from people interested in information on the likelihood of marina and boating facilities.
"The redevelopment will likely generate a mix of tourism, residential, retail and commercial development opportunities and significantly increase public access and amenity in the Outer Harbour area," Ms MacTiernan said.
"This includes the return of five kilometres of primary waterfront land to public use.
"The project could generate more than $140million in private investment and have a total economic impact for Bunbury of $260million.
"It is estimated that the project will create 1,400 construction jobs and 170 ongoing jobs."
The Minister said the project highlighted the Gallop Government's commitment to building stronger regional communities.
Earlier this week, Ms MacTiernan announced a $790,000 full feasibility study and community consultation program aimed at taking the Bunbury Outer Harbour Project to the next stage.
The concept plan is available at http://www.landcorp.com.au
Minister's office: 9213 6400