Regional parks consist of lands that have been identified as regional open space under regional planning schemes (such as the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme). They are managed by a range of agencies, including the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), local government and private landholders. DBCA’s Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for coordinating the management of the regional parks for all local and State Government management agencies.

A regional park is not a specific land tenure. It allows a consortium of land managers to develop coordinated management approaches over an area identified as having regionally significant values. 

Management of private property that is reserved as regional open space and within the regional parks remains unchanged, until such time as it is acquired by the Western Australian Planning Commission. Further information on reservation of private property under region schemes is available from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.

The regional parks had been proposed within the Greater Bunbury region for many years. Establishment plans prepared by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage identified proposed boundaries, values, and issues to be addressed in a management plan for the parks. Creation of the regional park was an election commitment of the State Government. It is a key part of Plan For Our Parks, which aims to create five million hectares of new national and marine parks and reserves across Western Australia.

The Kalgulup Regional Park is managed by several stakeholders, including local government and State Government agencies who initiated preparation of the Kalgulup Regional Park management plan. Public consultation was achieved through a consultative process with the City of Bunbury, Kalgulup Regional Park Community Advisory Committee, Gnaala Karla Booja representatives and the City of Bunbury Co-Design Access Panel.

In addition to the consultation for the establishment and planning processes, DBCA worked with the Gnaala Karla Booja Native Title representatives on the naming of the parks. The amalgamated parks have been named Kalgulup Regional Park, meaning ‘place of fire’ or ‘place of burning campfires’ to reflect the area’s significance to Noongar people.

Maidens Reserve in Kalgulup Regional Park offers panoramic views over the Indian ocean and Bunbury townsite from lookouts located on high sand dunes. This popular park is enjoyed by the local community and visitors for a range of recreational and relaxation activities. To ensure visitors can continue to experience and enjoy the reserve, the State Government committed funding for infrastructure improvements to revitalise the lookouts, install accessible sealed pathways and improved beach access.  

The existing informal lookouts in Maidens Reserve were eroded and existing infrastructure, including steps, seating and remaining trigonometrical station, badly deteriorated. New visitor infrastructure will complement the trigonometrical station, providing a major focal point in the regional park. These works will improve park accessibility, create safer access and maintain and enhance the biodiversity, recreational, social and cultural values for Bunbury residents and visitors. 

The project includes:

• a new accessible pathway to a lower lookout 
• new steps and viewing area, including seating and interpretation at the upper “Maidens” lookout
• upgraded stair access from the upper “Maidens” lookout to the beach 
• new trailhead and improved interpretation signage of natural and cultural values throughout the park
• rehabilitation works to disturbed and eroded areas, including planting.

View the fact sheet in the downloads section below.

How long will construction take and is it finished?

Construction of the new lookouts and accessible pathway commenced in mid-April 2023 and key works were finalised on 20 February 2024, a couple of months ahead of target.  After 10 months of anticipation, the public can now use an assisted wheelchair on the 670m sealed path that leads to the lower lookout with views of Bunbury.
Alternatively, fitness enthusiasts can take the more direct route by climbing 152 steps to the lower lookout, and a further 153 steps will lead to the 65m above sea level upper lookout, providing a 360-degree panoramic view.
 

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There are still some final touches left to do, including interpretation signage and planting. Some minor works are still to be finalised along the path which will require short closures of some sections until mid-March. Final tasks should be completed by early May 2024. 

What was the helicopter used for?

Dune vegetation is fragile and sensitive to disturbance.  To minimise disturbance to surrounding dune vegetation around the lookouts, a helicopter was used to lift construction materials to the lookouts including steel retaining walls, staircase beams and platforms.  The stairs and lookouts were prefabricated and needed to be transported to location and lifted into position. A helicopter was used to lift materials to the construction sites to reduce impacts to the dunes and vegetation during construction when usually heavy machinery would be used. This was due to the dune height, steepness of the terrain, soil type and the desire to use existing alignments where possible. The helicopter operated intermittently between July and October 2023.

Was the public consulted on this project?

Yes, the regional park is managed by several stakeholders, including local government and State Government agencies who initiated preparation of the Kalgulup Regional Park management plan. Public consultation was achieved through a consultative process with the City of Bunbury, Kalgulup Regional Park Community Advisory Committee, Gnaala Karla Booja representatives and the City of Bunbury Co-Design Access Panel.

Mangrove Cove is located along the Leschenault Inlet in Bunbury and is home to the most southern occurrence of white mangroves in the state that used to grow some 20,000 years ago. It is a tourist attraction and regularly frequented by residents. There is a playground, viewing tower and day-use facilities.  

The existing boardwalk of 190 metres length has provided visitor access for over 20 years through the white mangroves located in the Leschenault Inlet, opposite the Dolphin Discovery Centre. It has now reached the end of its life and requires replacement. The jarrah timber piles, and decking have deteriorated beyond repair and will be removed. It will be replaced with a boardwalk on the existing footprint to avoid impact on mangroves and surrounding tidal grasses. The new boardwalk will provide improved access for a wider range of visitors including those in wheelchairs and prams and bring a new experience.  
   
The current path along the inlet also needs an upgrade.  The existing bitumen surface has limited capacity for increased use.  It has become rough and will be removed. It will be replaced with a similar but slightly wider path on predominantly the same footprint as the previously. The new path will provide improved and safer access for increased demand.   

These works will improve park accessibility, create safer access and maintain and enhance the biodiversity, recreational, social and cultural values for Bunbury residents and visitors.

How long will construction take?

The project will start in December 2023 with completion expected in late 2024.

Will I still be able to visit Mangrove Cove during the planned works?

The project area within Mangrove Cove comprises of the boardwalk and the DBCA’s managed path section along the inlet. The works will not affect access to the playgrounds, adjacent grassed area, or viewing tower. 

The Mangrove Cove boardwalk has already been closed due to recent vandalism and will remain closed off to the public until the upgrade is finalised.

The project area within Mangrove Cove will be closed to visitors with additional temporary closures to access tracks and paths as required by the contractor and DBCA. An alternative path will be available allowing members of the public to complete the walk around the inlet. 

A map is provided showing alternative path.

Can I still walk/cycle around the inlet? 

Yes, a temporary diversion will be available on existing paths which will enable access around the inlet. The diversion will be sign posted and can be viewed on the map.

Can I still use the Mangrove Cove playground and tower during planned works?

Yes, the playgrounds and tower will remain open to the public throughout the construction period. Access will stay open from the main car parks located along Koombana Drive.

Signage will be in place to inform the public about the closure and diversion. There will be a fenced construction laydown area on the eastern side of the Mangrove Tower with some truck movements. DBCA and the contractor will endeavour to keep public access disturbance to a minimum.

Regional Parks Coordinator 
Parks and Wildlife Service 
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions 
Corner Dodson Road and South Western Highway 
PO Box 1693 
BUNBURY WA 6231 
Phone: 9725 4300 
Email: Bunbury@dbca.wa.gov.au