Mayor identifies City's key projects

Creating a cultural and civic precinct in the CBD has been identified as one of five priority projects for the City of Bunbury to be developed over the next two years.

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said together with councillors he was keen to start a discussion with the community about projects that create an East-West connection between the CBD and Leschenault Inlet, increasing the City’s rate base by facilitating development at Tuart Brook, shifting to a new depot and revitalising Withers through the Local Area Plan.

Top of the list was the creation of a civic and cultural precinct that would centre on development of the South’s carpark on Wittenoom Street. This could include buildings catering for commercial and retail premises, along with decked parking, and the possibility of apartments.

“A development sympathetic to the area would complement existing community buildings along the southern parts of Wittenoom Street, including the  Bunbury Regional Art Galleries, Council Gardens and the City’s administration building, the courthouse complex, police station and Boulters Heights,” Mr Brennan said.

“This would then form a link with the next stage of the Leschenault Inlet Management Plan, which includes improving the social interaction between the CBD and the Inlet in the areas including Bicentennial Square and the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.”

Mr Brennan said it was also essential that the City’s rate base continues to be increased and he identified Tuart Brook, bordered by Washington Avenue, Parade Road and Bussell Highway, as a key development.

“Tuart Brook is the largest greenfields land available in the City and it represents a very important part of our urban development,” Mr Brennan said.

“This land is owned by the State and we will continue to work very closely with the Minister for Housing and relevant agencies to ensure this significant slice of real estate is progressing towards development.”

While opening up new land for development is seen a crucial, so is more urban infill and revitalising the existing suburb of Withers.

Mr Brennan said council was keen to see the Withers Local Area Plan, which was detailed to Bunbury City Councillors last week, translated into a workable plan within the next two years.

“The Withers Local Area Plan is very aspirational and we will be working with the Department of Housing to see key elements of this plan undertaken,” Mr Brennan said.

The fifth key project identified is the construction of a new council depot.

Mr Brennan said the current depot on Nuytsia Avenue has outlived its usefulness and a new modern facility was needed.

“A new depot needs to be more suitably located and we will be looking at a range of options including joint ventures, leasing and full ownership to ensure a new facility lives up to the expectations of employees and ratepayers,” Mr Brennan said.

The City will liaise closely with the public on the key projects with regular consultation planned including community forums.

“We will continue to engage and involve the community in major decision-making as we have done successfully over the past two years,” Mr Brennan said.

The City is also keen to see a number of ongoing projects at various stages of progress continue towards completion, including Bunbury becoming the Most Accessible Regional City In Australia (MARCIA) by 2020 and the reduction of waste to landfill to just 25 per cent by 2025.  The new Town Planning Scheme is awaiting Department of Planning approval for advertising, which is anticipated by December this year.

“Council is very eager to see the momentum continue on a range of other projects, including construction of the Department of Parks and Wildlife headquarters, private development at Koombana North, the redevelopment of the City’s waterfront and also the progression of the water playground,” Mr Brennan said.

For more information visit City of Bunbury