City bid to rezone ocean-facing block

A vacant block of land in Bunbury overlooking the ocean could become the newest spot for a potential multi-storey development.

Bunbury City Council on Tuesday night agreed to start the long process to rezone the block of land - bordered by Clifton Street, Ocean Drive and Carey Street - from parks and recreation to city centre.

The city centre zoning would give the landowner flexibility to build multi-storey residential, commercial or mixed use developments.

The 7806sq m grassed area - located about 200m from the central business district and south of the Lighthouse Beach Resort - has been protected as an A-class reserve.

A Bill to change this protection must be passed by both houses of the WA Parliament before development on the block is allowed.

The land is owned by the State Government but is in the process of being transferred to the council to compensate for the loss of land in the Preston River to Ocean Regional Park Project.

The rezoning will be proposed under the soon-to-be released update to the city's planning scheme.

During debate at Tuesday night's council meeting, former Bunbury mayor David Smith said it was premature for the council to consider the rezoning because the new planning scheme had not been advertised to the public.

Mr Smith, who is usually prevented from addressing councillors, questioned what could be built on the land if the rezoning was approved.

Cr James Hayward supported the plan and said it was a "fantastic opportunity" - though he noted it was "early in the process".

Cr Karen Steele said she was opposed to the rezoning because she was being consistent with her previous statements regarding public open space.

She said cities around the world were trying to reclaim space rather than give it away for development.

The first stage of the rezoning will involve the council preparing a planning scheme amendment that will take about three months to complete.

The amendment will be advertised to the public if there are no objections from the Western Australian Planning Commission.

Public submissions on the plan will be considered by the council at a future meeting.