$9.5m for jetty underwater discovery hub

Excitement came in millions last week when Premier Mark McGowan visited the Busselton Jetty, cementing a pledge of $9.5m for the new Australian Underwater Discovery Centre. Tipped to win the State election tomorrow, WA Labor’s investment will take the popular jetty to the next level creating more than 380 local jobs. The money, now almost in the Busselton Jetty’s pockets, flowed out of a reserve account, initially intended to fund the Busselton Margaret River Airport upgrade. Vasse MLA Libby Mettam was shocked new money had not been provided and said it was “disappointing” to see another much-needed project replaced. “This is effectively funds of the previous government that were committed to upgrading the terminal as originally promised,” the Liberal deputy leader said. “This isn’t new funds, they have taken funds out of the airport project to fund this.” The new observatory is expected to attract up to 150,000 visitors in its first year, concreting Ms Mettam’s stance that an upgraded airport is essential. “These are both very worthy projects and Liberals WA also have a very clear commitment for the Underwater Observatory,” she said. Busselton Jetty chief executive Lisa Shreeve said four years of hard work had finally paid off and she was looking forward to welcoming more international and interstate tourists to the city. “We’re now thinking about how we can improve our offerings and stop telling people ‘sorry there’s no more space left’. This is really exciting for us, it’s everything we’ve been working for,” she said. Ms Shreeve said the AUDC would be a global destination and would create enough demand to warrant a future airport upgrade. “If we can help create more and more demand for the international terminal to go ahead, then we’re all going to be part of the same picture trying to bring more people to town to spend money and create jobs,” she said. Mr McGowan said the $9.5m was sitting in a reserve account and not being used which was why it was put towards the AUDC. He said it was important to put the money towards an immediate project. “We had $9.5m sitting there unused so with the local community, the foundation, and the council, we said we would move the money into this project,” he said. “It will ensure we have that additional tourism offering to bring people from Perth and across WA here to Busselton.” A continuation of funding for the region’s most up-market event CinefestOz was also announced and Mr McGowan said the event was a long-standing tourism attraction in the South West. “This will be an important piece of certainty for the local tourism industry. Events are very important, by having events you attract a lot of people,” he said. This week Labor candidate for Vasse Chris Hossen also announced $220,000 would go towards Capes community projects if Labor is re-elected this State election. Joined by Youth minister Dave Kelly in Busselton last week, Mr Hossen said this commitment would see $100,000 go towards CCTV resources, $80,000 for construction of a youth activity space at Naturaliste Community Centre, and $40,000 for upgrades at Tuart House women’s refuge. Mr Hossen said these were much-needed initiatives for the region.