Council seek comment on rezoning

The proposed rezoning of the Bunbury Seaview Apartments will be advertised after a council decision this week effectively initiated a change to a site use which is strongly opposed by neighbours.

The proposal, to boost the number of residential units to about 70 per cent of the development, will be released for public comment.

The number of residential units was previously capped at 25 per cent of a building which was initially approved as a tourist development.

Speaking for the owners, Gary Barbour from TME said the owners did not intend to remove the units from the short-stay accommodation market, but it would enable more flexibility.

He said the rezoning would not change the number of units or people on the site.

Speaking on behalf of the neighbouring residents, Nicki Sharwood said the neighbourhood had been “emotionally shattered” by the development.

She said the building had devalued the surrounding properties.

“If the developers were upfront about the project at the start would it have got the green light?” she said.

“If it was first proposed with this zoning we would be stamping our feet, but we didn’t because we believed Bunbury needed the short-stay accommodation.”

The construction of the apartments at the old Fawlty Towers Motel site has approval for 43 units, a cafe, management office, parking and swimming pool.

The proposal will return to the council after a period of advertising.

Councillors Wendy Giles, Betty McCleary and Karen Steele voted against the proposal being advertised.