Withers transformation ‘job done’

An ambitious three-year, multi-million-dollar plan to transform Withers is coming to an end, with the Bunbury City Council expected to disband the suburb’s advisory group next week.

While the Withers Advisory Committee chairman and councillor James Hayward believes the group was able to “get the job done”, he said there was still more to do in the once disreputable suburb.

The group has all but exhausted the more than $1.2 million it had to spend on projects under the Withers Action Plan over the three-year project, with the South West Development Commission contributing a further $1.5m to the project.

The group has all but exhausted the more than $2.4 million allocated from the council and South West Development Commission to spend on projects under the Withers Action Plan over the three-year project. . The South West Development Commission matched the council’s cash.

Cr Hayward said the money was well spent and every cent was worth it.

“There’s a great feeling of satisfaction from the committee that we were able to get the job done,” Cr Hayward said.

“But now there’s also a good sense of anticipation for the local area plan for Withers.”

The council is working with the SWDC and the Housing Authority to progress the Withers Local Area Plan, which will be the next step in transforming the area into a “trendy” suburb.

“Ultimately, the local area plan will be what transforms Withers completely,” Cr Hayward said.

“There’s a real sense that Withers is on the move, but there’s still more to come.”

Future plans for the suburb include a community hub, better road and path networks and the possibility of underground power.

Withers has been at the centre of heated debate in council chambers for several years, with the suburb even being compared to a “war zone” and the “toughest” area for children in the city.

But Cr Hayward said the suburb was being transformed and the level of crime and anti-social behaviour was decreasing.

Under the committee’s guidance, money has been spent on several projects including closed-circuit TV cameras in the suburb, expanded footpaths and upgrades to park’s play equipment, barbecues and lighting.

A number of laneways notorious with anti-social behaviour have also been closed or solar lighting installed.

The council is expected to next week disband the committee and allocate an unspent $39,726 to implement the local area plan.