Ocean views lost in rezoning decision

A prime piece of beachside land in Bunbury will be rezoned for sale and development despite a public outcry.

At its Tuesday meeting, Bunbury City Council resolved to change the block of land at the corner of Clifton Road and Ocean Drive from a parks and recreation reserve to a city centre zone.

The motion was adopted despite several written objections to the council and a five-minute deputation during the meeting.

During her deputation Judith Wall - who lives next to the block of land - accused the council of not sufficiently advertising the proposed changes to the public.

Mrs Wall said the way in which information was supplied to residents left a lot to be desired and a vigorous and widespread debate on the issue was needed.

The 7806sq m grassed area was owned by the State Government but was transferred to the council to compensate for the loss of land in the Preston River to Ocean Regional Park Project.

The city centre zoning will allow the landowner to build multi-storey residential, commercial or mixed use developments.

Mrs Wall told the council she had grave concerns about the rezoning decision.

"This amendment does not come with a plan, it does not even come with an idea," she said.

"The council has taken the bureaucratic position of 'no comment'.

"Their argument appears to be 'trust us, we know what's best for the community'."

Mrs Wall's comments echo those of nine other residents who submitted objections to the council regarding the rezoning.

Main concerns raised included parking problems, uncertainty around height restrictions if developed and interference of residents' beach views.

However, any plans to develop the land would need to go through development approval with the council and would be advertised for further public comment.

Mayor Gary Brennan told the _South Western Times _once the rezoning was finalised the council would look at its options to sell the land.

"We'll be marketing and selling it and that will raise some millions of dollars, which is substantial," he said.

Mr Brennan compared the piece of land to an Eagle Bay property, saying the Bunbury block was "far superior" in his opinion.

"Eagle Bay is gorgeous, but this is outstanding and I think in the not-so-distant future we will see many multi-million-dollar properties turn over in Bunbury," he said.