Film studio offered 'secret' CBD site

Two companies that want to build a multi-storey Chinese film studio and training centre in the heart of Bunbury's central business district have confirmed they were offered a secret site to consider.

Vue Group managing director Alan Lindsay said the joint venture between his company and the Shanghai Hippo Animation Company could build at the Wittenoom Street carpark opposite the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries.

However, Mr Lindsay admitted the joint venture was offered another location for the building in the CBD but refused to reveal its location.

He said the group was still preparing its design but could unveil it to the public in a month.

The film studio plan is significant because it sparked fears there could be a lack of parking for visitors and tourists to the CBD.

The public could lose about 110 parking bays if the joint venture goes ahead with the project at Wittenoom Street.

But Bunbury City Council planners believe on-street parking could be reconfigured to minimise the loss.

This comes as the council decided to put $8.7 million of land, including the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre carpark worth $5 million, up for sale.

The land was earmarked as an ideal spot for a hotel but three councillors opposed the sale during Tuesday's meeting.

Cr Karen Steele said she opposed the land sale because the council had no plans for a multi-decked carpark in the CBD.

Cr Steele said the BREC carpark was "prime land" and any parking provided for a potential hotel would be for guests but not tourists.

"I really think it (the sale) should be held back until a decked carpark is underway," she said.

The council agreed to push ahead with its land sale policy, dubbed "land rationalisation", with very little debate at the meeting.

Council chief executive officer Andrew Brien has been given permission to put the BREC land and three other blocks on the market.

The other land for sale includes two College Grove blocks (estimated to be worth about $1.9 million) and a block at Koombana Drive ($1.8 million).

Mayor Gary Brennan said money raised through the land sales would be used to pay off debt and build new community projects. He said the community would benefit from rates from new developments on the land.

Any land sales must be advertised for public comment before a final council decision.