Bunbury CBD site ripe for development

A doctor's surgery and late-trading mini-mart are primary targets for a new $7 million development that could rejuvenate Bunbury’s CBD, according to its Bunbury-based developer.

The project, on the corner of Victoria and Clifton streets, would also include residential, office and other retail space with about 3000sq m over three storeys.The developer paid $2.9 million for the former Road Traffic Authority site, which is opposite Grand Cinemas.

Commercial Realty sold the site and is working to secure tenants.

Principal Mike Jenkins said preliminary discussions with Bunbury City Council had been positive and although they had not yet sought planning approvals, he did not envisage any problems with the proposal.

He said they had already received expressions of interest for a cafe to occupy part of the site.

Plans for the site also include offices, two residential apartments with inlet views plus the doctor’s surgery and mini-mart, neither of which exist in Bunbury’s CBD.

Mr Jenkins also did not rule out the possibility of the mini-mart trading 24 hours to service Marlston Hill residents.

“There are no retail facilities in town after hours,” he said.

“If Bunbury wants to be a city, it has to provide the services of a city.

“A doctor’s surgery also creates traffic – it’s a labour-intensive industry and if you think about the number of people going in there every day, it’s a high level of foot traffic.”

Speaking on behalf of the developer, Mr Jenkins said this could be the catalyst for the CBD’s rejuvenation.

“The developer is very excited and it’s great that we have that excitement, as we need people to be the catalyst for change, ” he said.

“Commercial Realty has always been known for seeking complementary businesses for sites, so we are already seeking the businesses we’re after in advance of planning approvals.”

Concept plans for the building show a modern design which would be either two or three storeys high and cost up to $4 million to build.

Mr Jenkins said the development could be finished as soon as 2016.

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