Bunbury beach boom begins

The owner of a prime Bunbury beachfront block has promised to build a major tourism and retail precinct featuring apartments, shops and a restaurant.

The State Government has approved new zoning regulations for the 3.5ha block of land on Ocean Drive, on Bunbury's Back Beach, about 10 months after it was approved by Bunbury City Council.

The news comes as the council this week released a prospectus aimed at luring investment from around the country.

Michael Easson, chairman of EG Funds Management which owns 80 per cent of the block, said the approval allowed various developments including multi-storey buildings.

Mr Easson said architects would develop plans which should be presented to the council and the community by the end of the year.

He expected construction to start as early as next year.

"I think what we are looking at is hotel/motel development together with apartment development for long-term owners," he said.

"I think within the development there would be capacity for a restaurant and small retail outlets.

"We would like that to be attractive to locals so they could buy their milk and bread."

EG Management bought the land - bordered by Ocean Drive, Upper Esplanade and Baldock Street - in 2006 but Mr Easson blamed the mining boom, the Global Financial Crisis and strict planning regulation for slowing progress.

"We are very much of the view that Bunbury is a beautiful location," he said.

"It is spectacular having property opposite the ocean.

"It is a matter of time before development happens and now we have the flexibility to make it economical."

Mr Easson said it was essential to bring the community "on board" to support the development.

"You can't simply run roughshod over them," he said.

"That's not our approach and that's not what the council would want us to do.

"We look forward to engaging with the community because I think it is in their interests to have good economic development in Bunbury and to ensure we contribute to the economic revitalisation of the township."

The news comes after Mayor Gary Brennan and chief executive officer Andrew Brien held a series of meetings to promote investment opportunities in the city.