Jetty revamp lifts trade

A trio of events at the improved Busselton foreshore last weekend have been credited with boosting visitor numbers amid soaring temperatures this week.

The Busselton Jets Half Marathon and Community Fun Run, Busselton Criterium and Jetty Swim brought crowds to the city drawn by the family atmosphere and fine weather.

Geographe Bay Tourism Association chief executive Simon Taylor said it was a big weekend, perfectly timed to coincide with the end of school holidays.

Trade was up on last year and he said he was optimistic about the coming months due to the warm weather and City’s support for off-peak events.

Busselton Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ray McMillan said the staging of community events at the improved foreshore had been praised by businesses.

“The feedback I’ve had is business operators are pleased with the number of locals in particular who are using the foreshore in addition to visitors, ” he said.

City of Busselton chief executive Mike Archer said the public had been positive about the foreshore redevelopment.

He said record numbers had flocked there to use the new facilities and the City was keen to start works on the eastern side as soon as possible.

Equinox Cafe co-owner Dave Ebert told the Times his business had benefited from its location at the redeveloped foreshore. “A lot of people are using the foreshore, that’s for sure, and we get a bit of spin-off, ” he said.

“Business has been steadily improving in line with the increase in the number of people travelling to the area.”

Busselton has baked this past week, with the mercury peaking at 37.5C on Tuesday.

A relatively cooler 28C was forecast yesterday, with temperatures set to soar back up to 32C today and then settle in the high 20s next week.

Like many parents, Busselton mum Tanya Sansoni has been taking her children to the beach after school to beat the heat.

“It’s been so hot, this is the best way of cooling the kids down before they go to bed, ” she said.

“The kids love the swimming jetty and we can keep an eye on them while they play.”