State Government to fund ocean pool study

Discussions about a feasibility study into an ocean pool at Bunbury Back Beach are back on the table following the re-election of the Labor Government. As part of his string of election commitments, Bunbury MLA Don Punch promised a re-elected Labor Government would undertake a feasibility study and pre-planning and engineering work to determine the viability of constructing an ocean pool at Bunbury Back Beach. An ocean pool has long been a talking point among locals and the council alike, with a number of pushes and concept designs floated over the past decade. The first step in the Bunbury Coastline Development Plan, the pool could be an “iconic attraction” and “Instagram hotspot” for the city, bringing visitors from far and wide to the area. In a recent report to the council, City of Bunbury chief executive Mal Osborne said the “fatal flaws study” exploring the feasibility for an ocean pool in Bunbury had been received. “As interim advice, we can confirm that no fatal flaws were identified in the work undertaken by M.P. Rogers.” Mr Punch said funding for the feasibility study would be subject to the usual budgetary processes of government. “I expect the timeline for delivery will be established in the first budget of this term of Government,” Mr Punch said. “The Bunbury Ocean Pool is a City of Bunbury project that was listed as a priority in their approach to Government prior to the election and as such the funds will be provided to the city to conduct the feasibility study for this project. “The progress of the feasibility study and the application of the findings of the study will be a matter for the City of Bunbury. “The development of the ocean pool is likely to be a technically complex project and as such I expect the State Government will await the findings of the study before forming an opinion regarding any future development.”