Designs unveiled for $30m Busselton Underwater Discovery Centre

Final designs for the world’s biggest natural marine observatory at the end of the Busselton Jetty were revealed last night, putting the tourist destination in line for construction by the end of this year. Modifications to the $30 million Australian Underwater Discovery Centre include an updated “village” design for food and drink at the end of the 1.8km jetty, as well as slight changes to the internal structure of the centre. Head contractor Subcon Blue Solutions specialises in marine construction. Director Matt Allen said the final designs were based on community and client feedback. “The cetacean is largely identical in its outside form from last year’s designs. We have resolved the internal structure and have included an updated design of the village on top of the jetty,” he said. Sitting alongside the centre, the village will boast a cafe, bar, and public amenities including a jetty volunteer and staff room, and a shower block for divers. “We wanted to provide an experience that you just can’t get anywhere else,” Mr Allen said. “Up at jetty level in the village, everyone wants be able to have a cup of coffee or some lunch.” More than 200,000 new visitors are expected to visit the region in the centre’s first year of operation, adding to the 700,000 already recorded each year. Collaboration between Busselton Jetty Inc, the City of Busselton, and the WA community have led to the completion of the designs, and Mr Allen said he was excited to finally reveal them to the public. “It’s been two years of my life that has gone into this project, so it’s definitely excellent to reveal these,” he said. Busselton Jetty Inc chief executive Lisa Shreeve said eating and drinking at the end of the jetty had been the No.1 request from 12,000 visitor surveys over five years. “The end-of-jetty cafe is the resurrection of our Village project, which was put on hold due to COVID, and we are now hoping to build the village at the same time as the AUDC,” she said. “It will enable people to have food and drinks at the end of the Jetty ... and we can also host events out there with kitchen facilities and more ablutions.” The next step for the project will be receiving approval for the final design. The centre is expected to be open by the end of 2022.