Potential Carey Park housing plan

Parcels of land in Carey Park could be rezoned to allow for a potential affordable housing development if plans for the new Bunbury City Council depot site are secured.

The development would include 3ha of Nuytsia Avenue land where the council’s existing depot site and the State Emergency Service building are located and vacant land near the Bunbury Trotting Club.

Mayor Gary Brennan said the area could be rezoned high-density residential, with the potential for about 60 housing units.

It comes as a residential neighbourhood at South Moorlands near Glen Iris has been predicted to attract more than 2000 people and is due to be put to council soon.

The council last week began negotiations to buy a block in Picton for its new depot site and Mr Brennan revealed to theSouth Western Times plans could include a solar farm.

Negotiations are well under way for the new site and the council will start considering what to do with the leftover land in Carey Park.

Most of it is crown land and Mr Brennan said the council would work with a range of stakeholders throughout a study process into the area.

He said informal talks with Landcorp were already happening to see if the agency wanted to get involved.

“We’ve invited Landcorp to have a look at a few parcels of land down here and use their expertise to help the city get the best value that we can,” Mr Brennan said.

“This land is ideal to be redeveloped for affordable housing and the city will look to include the area known as the Stables in this process.

“We will be very careful not to negatively impact on those who still use their land in this area for equine activities.

“The local community has been involved in discussions about the future of the Stables area and their feedback has been important.”

The development would be a big project with most of the Stables area not sewered and extensive decontamination work needed at the 40-year-old site.

It is expected to take 18 months for the new depot site to be ready.

Mr Brennan said the council would look into putting together a structure plan, which would include scheme amendments and rezoning.