More than 100 public submissions have been considered for the adoption of a new planning scheme and strategy that is expected to open Bunbury to more diverse development and drive growth over the next 20 years.
Local Planning Scheme No. 8 (LPS8) and the accompanying Local Planning Strategy was open for public comment last year with a total of 104 submissions received, 24 of which informed minor modifications to the revised draft scheme and strategy documents.
The scheme and strategy will now go before Bunbury City Council for adoption next month.
Key elements of the draft scheme, which has been formulated by the City over several years in consultation with the community, include greater opportunities for living and working within walking distance and expanding the city centre to engage with its “three waters” of the Indian Ocean, Leschenault Inlet and Koombana Bay.
Under the new scheme, the development potential of Bunbury’s city centre will be unlocked by the ability to double the available floor space for commercial and high density residential development throughout the new Regional Centre Zone.
More mixed use, such as commercial space on ground floors with residential above, is also being promoted through new activity centre and mixed use zones.
There is also a range of new land use classes designed to encourage innovative development based on sound planning and urban design principles.
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said LPS8 would be a key driver of growth and social and economic prosperity of the city.
“The adoption of this new scheme will show that we are a progressive City with our sights set firmly on providing for people throughout the Bunbury Geographe region now and into the future,” Mr Brennan said.
“This scheme sends the message that Bunbury is well and truly open for business, and I am confident developers and investors will grab hold of the new opportunities it presents.”
Copies of the modified draft Strategy and Scheme documents along with the Schedule of Submissions and Schedule of Modifications can be downloaded from the City of Bunbury’s LPS8 webpage by visiting bunbury.wa.gov.au