Bunbury backs plan for National Park expansion

Bunbury City Council will write to State Environment Minister Albert Jacob asking him to consider expanding the Wellington National Park.

Acting Mayor Brendan Kelly submitted a motion asking the council to vote on the matter in response to a presentation from a group lobbying for the park to be almost doubled in size.

Councillors on Tuesday night endorsed the move despite concern from several councillors who claimed the issue was not a council matter and was out of its “patch”.

Cr Judy Jones told fellow councillors the motion was “hijacking” the council agenda and she was more concerned with homelessness and Bunbury’s “ice epidemic”.

But Cr Kelly said he expected a positive result from the motion, which he submitted in response to a briefing last month from the Promote Preston group.

He said it would affect Bunbury by generating business and employment opportunities.

“Advocating for the expansion of the Wellington National Park broadens the South West region’s commitment to sustainable nature-based tourism,” Cr Kelly said.

“An expanded National Park would in effect extend and enhance the range of regional tourism opportunities in this niche market.”

The council will also refer the proposal to the South West Zone of Local Governments.