WA Election: Battle for Bunbury heats up

Bunbury Labor candidate Karen Steele will face an uphill battle this Saturday to erode the 11 per cent margin held by sitting MLA John Castrilli, but the city councillor remains confident of a come-from-behind win.

The landslide victory at the last election saw a 12.5 per cent swing to Mr Castrilli and gave him a firm hold on Bunbury, but Cr Steele vowed this week that a Labor win was “achievable’’.

“I’m doing everything I can to win and I don’t like losing, I don’t think a 12 per cent swing is realistic this time,’’ she said.

Analysts have put Mr Castrilli’s margin at 11.1 per cent, considering polls and boundary changes.

Despite holding the seat for the past eight years, Mr Castrilli said election day was always an anxious wait and the “nerves never go away’’.

“You can never be confident in politics, you can only hope you’ve done your best,’’ he said.

Mr Castrilli said he did not consider Bunbury a “safe seat’’.

Once considered the State’s bellwether seat in which the party that held Bunbury won government, both major parties have made significant promises in an effort to win over the electorate.

Building a State Government presence in Bunbury – long touted as the way to secure Bunbury’s status as WA’s “second city’’ – has been at the core of both parties’ major commitments.

Labor has promised $20 million to move the Department of Regional Development and Lands to Bunbury, bringing 242 jobs.

The Liberals’ will build a $15 million headquarters for a new government agency – the WA Parks Authority – at Turkey Point, bringing 120 staff.

Who's promised what?

Labor's Bunbury promises:

$20m to move the Department of Regional Development and Lands to Bunbury

• $11.1m for upgrades to Australind Senior High School

• $5m for Bunbury Senior High School Year 7 facilities

• $1.5m for Withers Urban renewal project

• $1.35m boost public transport from Bunbury to surrounds including Collie and Eaton

• $300,000 upgrades to Withers’ parks and reserves

• $150,000 for cycle paths between Bunbury and Dalyellup

• $70,000 for Bunbury Sea and Rescue facilities

• $60,000 for the Investing in Our Youth program

• $50,000 to the Leschenault Catchment Council revegetation of Cathedral Wetlands

Liberals' Bunbury promises:

$19.5m for RAC Rescue Helicopter for the South West

• $15m to build new WA Parks Authority headquarters at Turkey Point

• $11.1m for upgrades to Australind Senior High School

• $5m for Bunbury Senior High School year 7 facilities

• $3m for new mental health facility in Bunbury, plus $1.6m a year ongoing costs

• $3m for scientifi c and conservation around Leschenault Inlet and Estuary

• $4000 incentive payments for Bunbury and Australind police offi cers

• $25,000 for Carey Park Football Club’s business case for oval redevelopment

• $20m Statewide funding to improve camping sites including Buffalo Beach

• $2.4m Statewide restock of fi shing to benefi t South West anglers