New Busselton Jetty ‘village’ designs to include cafe, education centre and artificial reef trail

Busselton Jetty Inc has released designs plans for an all new Jetty Village at the end of the popular tourist attraction. Originally part of the now deferred Australian Underwater Discovery Centre project, ‘Village Mk2’ will include an cafe, marine education centre and artificial marine trail with 13 new reef modules, sculptures, a shipwreck and lights for night diving. BJI took to social media to spread the news, thanking its visitors for making the project possible. “The biggest thanks go to all of our visitors that choose to come and visit our iconic 157-year-old jetty,” the post read. “You are helping us to save the jetty for future generations to enjoy and in return, we hope you leave with a most memorable experience. “Our sincere thanks go to the Commonwealth and State grant agencies for supporting our project through difficult circumstances, and to the City of Busselton for their continuing commitment to the project.” It comes one month after the highly anticipated AUDC project was shelved due to a multimillion-dollar budget blowout that saw the project estimated to come in at $25 million more than originally predicted. The newly announced village was intended as stage one of the original AUDC plan but has since been altered to be a focal point of the design, with new additions including cantilevered decking at the end of the jetty. With on-site construction set to commence October this year, BJI ceo Lisa Shreeve said she is very excited to get started on the project. “Customers have always wanted to see the end of the Jetty activated with new interpretation and things to do,” she said. “We hope to (one day) be able to build the giant Whale, but at this stage upgrading the infrastructure at the end of the Jetty and including a Marine Education Centre is still a great outcome for visitors and locals, especially schools. “Personally I love snorkelling at the end of the Jetty and by adding more artificial reef and sculptures, this will truly enhance that area as a world class diving and snorkelling destination.” Busselton Jetty Inc also announced its looking to purchase a glass-bottom semi-submersible marine vehicle to run tours around the jetty and Geographe Bay, a key attraction for people who do not swim. The public has also been invited to share their thoughts of the designs via surveymonkey.com/r/SKYLJJY.

New Busselton Jetty ‘village’ designs to include cafe, education centre and artificial reef trail

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