Work starts on prime site at Koombana North

The long-awaited Koombana North development is finally under way with contractors moving in on the prime Bunbury waterfront land.

In what will be the latest piece of the transformation puzzle along Koombana Drive, the waterfront development will boast a six-storey apartment building with ground level cafes and restaurants facing Bunbury Ski Beach.

Perkins Builders have this week taken control of the first lot at Koombana North after a noticeable stall in progress.

AustPro project manager Peter Greenland said the process had been a “lengthy exercise” given the high-quality of the development, but the project would now start to take shape.

“It’s had to go through a tiring costing exercise to make sure it works as far as a high quality development goes,” Mr Greenland told the South Western Times.

“They’re massive units, there’s only 13 in that development so that’s been an exercise.”

Mr Greenland also revealed he had been given the go-ahead to prepare a development application for a second lot at the precinct which would be a “pigeon pair” with the first building.

LandCorp regional general manager Stuart Nahajski confirmed AustPro Management – a Queensland-based company – had snapped up the second lot.

LandCorp has been marketing the waterfront land and Mr Nahajski further revealed discussions were under way with another developer over a third lot in the precinct.

“Existing zoning permits a six-storey mixed use (retail, office, residential, accommodation or tourism) development,” Mr Nahajski said.

“Lots 43 and 44 are for sale and will be marketed throughout 2018. We expect there will be strong interest from developers for these lots.

“Koombana North offers a great opportunity for developers.”

Mr Greenland said the build period of Aspire Apartments – the first development – was 16 months.

“Excavation will hopefully start shortly,” he said.

“We’re submitting the development approval for lot two and we’ve had really good sales which is encouraging.”

Mayor Gary Brennan said the progress was “fantastic” and he congratulated the developers and investors involved along with LandCorp.

“It’s another indication of Bunbury being recognised nationally – being a Queensland developer – as a great place to work and live,” Mr Brennan said.

“Hopefully after the first six-storey development is complete, work will start on the second one.

“It’s all part of that transformation of Bunbury ... it does take a while for planning, it’s a long game.”