Movement on Stables’ future

A win-win outcome is on the cards for the contentious Stables Precinct, according to Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan.

After months of consultation, the Bunbury City Council on Tuesday night endorsed management arrangements for a Race Courses Local Area Planning Project.

The endorsement comes as the item was previously deferred by the council amid concerns from residents they would not be properly represented and original plans to rezone land to allow for high density residential development were knocked back.

Three groups will be formed as part of a membership structure to oversee the draft plan.

The council will now start short-listing a group of residents and stakeholders from the area for the Project Reference Group.

The group will also include Bunbury Turf and Trotting clubs and Racing and Wagering WA representatives and will be chaired by Cr Jaysen Miguel.

It would be “advisory only” and work alongside a Project Steering Group and a Project Technical Working Group made up of council staff and planning professionals.

Tecon WA director and town planning professional Gary Fitzgerald presented a deputation last month on behalf of concerned residents, which resulted in the council deferring the item.

Mr Fitzgerald again addressed the council on Tuesday night saying following further clarification the residents were satisfied with the arrangements.

Mr Brennan said he believed there was a “meeting of minds” on the issue now and he was looking forward to seeing some developments in the area.

“There’s a whole raft of opportunities here and I’m very confident we’ll come up with a win-win outcome,” he said.