‘More money’ for Bunbury CBD plan

Bunbury City Council has been recommended to dip into its savings and put an extra half-a-million dollars towards its CBD Action Plan.

The council will next week vote on the financial contribution alongside releasing a Bunbury City Centre Outcomes Report to the public.

The report is the result of several community and stakeholder workshops held to identify a “way forward” for the city and will form part of the broader action plan.

City staff have recommended the council put a further $500,000 on top of the $50,000 already allocated towards the plan.

Mayor Gary Brennan revealed during a briefing session this week that the amount might change, but told the South Western Times a substantial investment by the council would be needed.

“We do need to invest in that outcomes report and I would imagine that money won’t be spent until the next financial year,” he said.

“Part of the $500,000 I would expect to be consumed in consultant fees, engineering fees and all that type of design and conceptual work.

“The investment would be substantially into the millions of dollars into the future but we need to get going on this.”

The plan focuses on four main “pillars” – connected, colourful, capable and confident – but Mr Brennan admitted it was obvious the main element was connectivity between the CBD and areas such as Koombana Bay.

A number of strategic challenges are identified in the outcomes report including increased suburban centre growth competition, low numbers living in the CBD and the future impact of Wanju.

Ideas such as the “calming” of Blair Street by reducing it to single lanes and a train station in the CBD are also listed as possible solutions.