Lady's fate in foreshore build
The Nautical Lady tower's demolition will take place in the next round of construction on the Busselton foreshore.
City of Busselton chief executive Mike Archer said the tower had been "earmarked" for demolition for the past 18 months.
He said while the Busselton City Council had considered a recent petition, the tower had no "heritage or commercial value" and had high maintenance requirements and the area was "better served" as public open space.
Mr Archer said works will start on the construction of the new protective seawall after this weekend's Busselton Jetty Swim and Busselton Jetty 150th anniversary event.
"While the City has access to heavy construction equipment and sections of the foreshore are sectioned off, it makes good sense in terms of costs and minimising public disruption to demolish the tower and some other buildings while this work is underway," he said.
In the meantime, Mr Archer said the City and the Geographe Bay Tourism Association would "actively explore" accommodation options to provide a visitor centre with "alternative, short-term accommodation" within the foreshore area.
The work will form part of the City's $9 million upgrade of the eastern foreshore which will feature a children's playground and waterpark, feature landscaping with promenades; new picnic facilities and, with the removal of the tower, significantly increased public open space, Mr Archer said.
"It will enable the future development of a commercial brewery/restaurant outlet that will add vibrancy to the foreshore area and provide lease revenue for the ongoing maintenance of the foreshore and the Busselton Jetty lessening the burden on ratepayers," he said.
GBTA chief executive Sharna Kearney said the association was happy the City had decided to keep a visitor centre presence on the foreshore.
Mrs Kearney said from her perspective it was important the foreshore development "kept its momentum" because it was important for visitation to the region.
Residents and supporters of the tower were "shocked and disappointed" to learn of the demolition when contacted by the _Times _ yesterday and a group of supporters are set to meet on Monday to continue efforts to save it.
Resident Bill Gillbard, who attended the Busselton City Council meeting last week to lobby councillors to halt the demolition said all he was asking for was a referendum. Glenys Cope, who organised a petition to save the tower, said as far as she understood the tower wasn't scheduled for demolition until July.
