State Government requests City of Bunbury takes responsibility of Koombana Bay Plug

The Bunbury City Council will debate whether or not to accept a request from the State Government to take on full responsibility of the Koombana Bay Groyne, colloquially known as The Plug. According to the council’s November meeting agenda, the request to take management of the project stems from the council’s need for disaster relief funding. In partnership with the Department of Transport, the council successfully secured funding for round two of the Disaster Ready Fund to address the infrastructure’s deteriorating condition. However, the council needs to take on full responsibility of the land tenure and the ongoing maintenance of the asset, which is currently shared between the council and the State Government. The structures which need fixing include the Koombana Bay eastern groyne and the Leschenault Inlet channel revetment rock protection structure and training walls, often referred to as The Plug. The recommendation requests chief executive Alan Ferris advise the State Government the council will assume responsibility of the land, while the State Government manages the project’s construction with the local government contributing funds. Once agreed, the council can then request a one-time lump sum payment of $800,000 on completion to establish a dedicated maintenance reserve. The council estimates the eastern groyne restoration works would take place from April to October next year, while the Leschenault Inlet channel works would begin November 2025 through to May 2026. The Bunbury City Council will vote on the item at Tuesday night’s council meeting.