Published 12 June 2023, updated 17 October 2023
Bunbury has evolved in recent years resulting in more and more for young people to do.
Think a wealth of waterways offering the perfect conditions to either catch a wave, go for a dip, paddle with mates or cast a line.
Or maybe it is the exciting entertainment and hospitality offerings with youth-based festivals, cinemas, game stores and arcades, and funky ice-cream and candy stores.
The choices for the City’s youngest residents are endless, but perhaps the best is yet to come.
A Youth Precinct featuring a parkour park, multi-sports court, event and performance space, skate park and more is set to be open in Bunbury by the end of the year.
The highly anticipated precinct has been several years in the making and has been led by the community, particularly the City’s youngest residents through the Youth Advisory Council.
Bunbury City Council committed $6 million in its 2020/21 Budget for the precinct, which will be built at Luciana Park adjacent to the popular Leschenault Inlet in the CBD.
The project was further bolstered by major supporters Lotterywest and Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries who provided grants worth $2.5 million and $82,000 respectively.
Creative consultants Playce completed detailed designs of the precinct with the impressive renditions overwhelmingly receiving positive responses in the community.
Bunbury Youth Mayor Sean van der Wielen said YAC was proud to see the project become a reality and that the new precinct would provide an amazing space for the City’s youngest residents.
“This has really been a community driven project – young people have been involved in every single step,” Sean said.
The precinct will also include facilities to incorporate youth services, a maze, art installation, shade structures, chill out areas and much more.
Construction is planned to begin in March 2021 and the precinct is hoped to be open to the public by the end of the year.
It is anticipated the Youth Precinct will be an eye-catching entry statement into the CBD, further connecting the revitalised and popular Koombana Foreshore with the soon-to-be-built splash park at Sykes Foreshore and the city centre.
The attention on youth services and facilities proves Bunbury provides a balanced lifestyle not only for young couples, singles or older residents, but entire families.