Times are a-changing with Bunbury’s new planning scheme

A new Regional Centre Zone will give CBD retailers the chance to double their floor space under the Bunbury City Council’s new planning policy.

The highly-anticipated Local Planning Scheme No 8 was launched by the council last night revealing a suite of land use zones for the city, including two new mixed-use zones and a light industrial zone.

The Regional Centre Zone spans from the Marlston Hill commercial area, south to Edward Street and between Ocean Drive and Blair Street to the east.

The council hails the expanded city centre as engaging the ‘three waters’ of the Leschenault Inlet, Koombana Bay and the ocean.

More inner-city living options have been a major talking point in anticipation of the new scheme and the reality of high-rise residential in the CBD could be in the hands of existing shop-owners with incentives for businesses on the cards.

Neighbouring businesses who amalgamate and develop their properties by building up could be rewarded with more floorspace as part of a “plot ratio bonus” under the scheme.

It is anticipated the incentive will encourage retail on the floor level and multi-storey residential apartments, with the Victoria Street strip earmarked as a focus area for such developments.

A new Tourism Zone along Ocean Drive will promote opportunities for mixed-use developments for both short-stay and lifestyle options.

The introduction of a Light Industry Zone aims to reduce land use conflict and encourage cleaner, high-tech industrial parks on the outskirts of East Bunbury.

The scheme also boasts Spencer Street as a mixed-use activity corridor into the CBD with the potential for retail mixed with residential to continue out of the city centre.

The scheme will be available for comment from September 14 to December 16 before going through the final endorsement process.

View the draft scheme and find out how to comment here .