GERALDTON
www.geraldton.wa.gov.au
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Looks like a nice town,good to see some contruction going on now too.
The only one of those projects I knew about was the southern transport corridor.

yeah geralton is ok. went there in early 2003.
what i didnt like about it was that is very 'suburban'

The most stupid thing with Geraldton is the routing of the rail line from the wharfs. It goes right along the beach, in front of the town. It is such a poorly thought out route and barrier for accessibility to the town centre's beach. They have been harping on for years to move it but Geraldton is a bit like the Adelaide of the West where the people there are just blase to development and change.

lol @ Adelaide of the west.

been there once in winter...can't really remember much about the place besides the beach being full of seaweed.

its ok... the one thing i remember was being woken up by trains going past... when i was staying in the ocean center hotel which is supposed to be the best hotel there.. its crap.i prefer kalbarri :D

Gallop Government makes major funding commitment to Geraldton foreshore redevelopment
The State Government's commitment to revitalising the Mid-West region will continue with the establishment of a $9.98million fund to support the Geraldton CBD/Foreshore Redevelopment Project.

The $25million project aims to transform the city into one of the State's premier coastal locations, by boosting local job opportunities and tourism, enhancing the community's lifestyle and improving access to services.

Announcing the new commitment in Geraldton today, Premier Geoff Gallop said $400,000 would immediately be allocated from the fund to the project managers, the City of Geraldton.

Dr Gallop said further funds would be made available over the next five years when required to ensure the foreshore redevelopment occurs in unison with the Geraldton Port Enhancement Project and construction of the $88million Southern Transport Corridor.

"What we are now seeing in Geraldton is the start of a massive transformation of the city that residents have been seeking for many years," the Premier said.

"The redevelopment project will transform the foreshore into a world-class beachfront, community and tourist facility realising the city's greatest asset - its physical setting.

"The three projects will combine to enhance Geraldton's standing as the economic and social hub of the Mid-West and renewed reputation as a premier coastal attraction."

The CBD/Foreshore revitalisation plan includes:
-the establishment of a new beach bathing area
-a new jetty and water feature
-the creation of fishing platforms, youth facilities and family playground
-additional and enhanced recreational parkland
-alfresco dining and revamped shopping amenities

Geraldton MLA Shane Hill, who will head the Government's Foreshore Fund Advisory Committee, welcomed the new allocation on top of the $3.3million already provided for the project.

"Through the creation of a co-ordinating committee of Government agencies, we can maintain a smooth roll-out of these funds and ensure the synergies created by all three projects achieve maximum benefits," Mr Hill said.

Dr Gallop commended the City of Geraldton for its vision and determination in undertaking to create an environment that will meet the needs of the city for many years to come.

"We want Geraldton to continue to grow and be a vibrant place to live and one of the best ways to achieve this is for the State Government to work in close partnership with local government in the region," he said.

The Premier said he hoped the Government's lead would encourage the Commonwealth Government and other parties to make similar financial commitments to the project, which is expected to be a major long-term boost to the region's tourism industry.

According to the WA Tourism Commission, as a direct result of the CBD/foreshore redevelopment, visitor nights could be increased by five per cent, which would see an increase of 114,200 visitor nights, increased tourist spending of $9.6million and the creation of about 125 new jobs.

A further $5.7million would be generated in the local economy through the multiplier effect.

Main Roads WA, the Geraldton Port Authority, Public Transport Authority, LandCorp, Department of Land Information, Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Department of the Environment and the Mid West Development Commission would be represented on the Redevelopment Fund Committee

State Government pushes ahead with transport corridor
Work on the Southern Transport Corridor is gaining momentum with much of the alignment now cleared and construction about to start on the Brand Highway interchange.

Touring the site today, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the next step in the Gallop Government's grand vision for Geraldton was starting to unfold and deliver real benefits for the Mid-West region.

"The transport corridor is a vital link in a suite of projects that will reshape the region's future," Ms MacTiernan said.

"For some time, the corridor seemed just part of a planning vision and now today, we can see the project start to take shape and even visualise its path to Geraldton Port.

"The project is helping to attract new investment and jobs, facilitating growth and regional development.

"With contractors Thiess expected to spend more than $2million in the Geraldton area during construction, the project is starting to open the door for new opportunities for local suppliers and businesses.

"When complete, the corridor will continue to strengthen the Mid-West's position as a competitive export region by improving access to the port and increasing the efficiency of regional trade."

Since the launch in March, Thiess has concentrated on preparing the site for full construction, and modifying the local road network to best manage traffic disruptions.

During the next few months, residents will notice significant changes to the roundabout area as construction begins on the interchange and truck haulage for the coastal works increase.

The Minister acknowledged the support of the council and the community, and asked residents and road users to be patient in the coming months as the impacts of construction increased.

The Southern Transport Corridor is a joint project being undertaken by Main Roads and the Public Transport Authority and is expected to be completed by April 2006.

$9.98m for foreshore
In Geraldton to announce the funding Premier Geoff Gallop said $400,000 would be immediately allocated to the City of Geraldton with the remainder of funds available over the next five years.

"What we are now seeing in Geraldton is the start of a massive transformation of the city that residents have been seeking for many years," Dr Gallop said.

"There's no doubt that the foreshore project is a central element of the future of Geraldton."

The redevelopment will include a new beach bathing area, new jetty, fishing platforms, youth and family facilities, recreation parklands, alfresco dining and revamped shopping amenities.

Dr Gallop said Geraldton played an important role in the development of the State and he was pleased the Government could complete the trifecta of the Port Enhancement Project, Southern Transport Corridor and Foreshore Redevelopment.

City of Geraldton Mayor Vickie Petersen said the last three years had been a long, hard road but the $9.98 million was everything the City had asked for.

"It's something that I'm very proud to see achieved in my first term as Major," she said.

"Being a long-term resident I know the import of what this means for the business community, for the families in the community, it is something that is going to have so much payback."

Dr Gallop said the funding was not announced in the State Budget because issues of how to arrange the funding were still being worked through.

A Foreshore Fund Advisory Committee, chaired by MLA Shane Hill and comprised of local government agencies, would oversee usage of all funds.

Mr Hill said he welcomed the new allocation on top of the $3.3 million already provided.

Major Peterson said the staged plan and timeline for the $24.8 million project could now be confirmed and it was estimated the entire Foreshore Redevelopment would be completed by 2009.
http://geraldton.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&story_id=309551&category=General+News&m=5&y=2004

The plans for the foreshore redevelopment are here:
http://www.geraldton.wa.gov.au/Extranet/Reports/Redevelopment.asp

I like the plan for a town square in front of the courthouse. There's some nice architecture in Geraldton, though it's years since I've been there, and it's a bit of a hick town at the moment.

Geraldton (catholic) cathedral:
<img src="http://www.geraldtondiocese.org.au/Index.2.jpg">

Courthouse:
<img src="http://www.travel-images.com/australia57.jpg">

The new Brand Highway Interchange will be similar to the Beeliar Interchange shown here
http://geraldton.thiess.com.au/__data/assets/image/1495/beeliar_interchange_lg.jpg

Geraldton CBD
http://geraldton.thiess.com.au/__data/assets/image/1500/geraldton_township1_lg.jpg
http://geraldton.thiess.com.au/__data/assets/image/1497/geraldton_city_centre_lg.jpg


Southern Transit Corridor
@http://geraldton.thiess.com.au

http://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/nr/mrwa/internet/projects/major_projects/geraldton/images/4.jpg
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FORESHORE UPGRADE INFO
@http://www.geraldton.wa.gov.au/Extranet/Reports/Redevelopment/FRCBDRBrochure.pdf

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid136/p828e76b7e8b950c510e1341e3e39c487/f75990fe.jpg
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Hmmm,I was definetely hoping to drive up north as part of my next WA visit,but I can't decide whether to go the inland way or Coastal way.
I might have to make sure I pass through Geraldton,it looks like a nice,quiet town.
The CBD looks quite tidy/nice.

thanks for posting that stuff chris and Drone1.

chris I look for pics of Perth freeways all the time and I have never seen that one of Kwinana fwy/Beeliar dr,where did you find it ?

me thinks... www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

fuck going inland! theres shit all there

Spent lot's of time in Gero, holidaying mainly, windsurfing in particular. Always been disappointed with the development of the town. Good to see the foreshore being redeveloped. It's the sort of town you could easily bypass, hopefully the new development will allow it to become an attracter of people. It has the potential to be a gateway town, to Abrollos Islands, Kalbarri, Shark bay.

Going inland is best during wildflower season End of August September and October. Lot's to see then.

Going along the main coast road is not very exciting as it's away from the coast, unless you do the detour through Leeman, Jurien, Greenhead, Cervantes.

there's a heap to see in western australia just a long way between everything:D i would love to go explore north, I have seen a heap of the fabulous south west but not to much of the north, though qantas now service alot WA cities with 737's now, so they are getting easyer to access

I am especially interested in the Hammersley ranges and Kimberley region.

NZer,

The Pilbara Region, which inland is the Hammersley ranges, and coastal is the Coral Coast, Canarvon to Exmouth, are my absolute favourites in Australia, stunningly beautiful and unique. I've just about travelled all of Australia, so I've got a pretty good idea of how the places compare, however beauty is in the eye of the beholder and a very personal thing.

The Kimberley is also magic, in a different way to the Pilbara.

the beaches look amazing up there, imo perths metro beaches looked better than the ones I saw in northern QLD :D no joke either but the dense palms and trees along the coast were nice, even the island I went to didn't have beaches as nice as Rottnest

@Hardie:Thanks for that advice & stuff,I'm pretty certain I will like that area because of the dramatic gorges and ancient mountain ranges etc. I like the pictures I have seen a lot.

Plus I like drier places in general,NZ is a pretty country but temperate places are not really my thing to be honest.

Just looked up some pics on the net-Dales Gorge,Karijini NP,Millstream etc.

What an AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL state you people live in !!!!!!

@NZer,

If you like climbing and walking Karrajini is unbelievable, On one Climb I had to traverse a 30cm wide ledge for about 5 metres, the scariest thing I've ever done, Total adrenalin rush. It's worth spending at least a week around K if not more. Up close is better than photo's as you can well imagine.

The coast is just as amazing but in a different way, Australia's best surf beaches are hiden away in secret spots there, SHHHHHHHuush!!

Yeah,my dad is a surfy,and I'm into hiking & exploring etc..... so it should be awesome.

I'll probably be even more reluctant to leave WA than ever !!!

Geraldton Plans....
http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au/cgi-bin/index.cgi?page=/whatsnew/content.html

Thanx pwa.

Geralton certainly needs upgrades and developments outlined in plans, however Gero needs these things well before 2030.

@Hardie:

In WA,if I get a permit(or whatever is reguired over there)to enter a National Park or reserve,does that permit allow me to go whrerever I want to go within that particular park,or are other permits&stuff required for more remote areas away from tracks and main attractions etc.......?

good to see Western Australia's regional centres getting upgraded, qantas now serve 6 Western Australian regional cities with 737's, I think tourism and investment is a great thing for our state to have a strong state economy not just in Perth but in all towns and cities! get out there see western australia!

Oh,I will....

Looks like I'm comin over for at least a week in March 05'

noice! have u booked yet? fly AirNZ direct auckland to perth

Haven't yet,but yeah it will be AirNZ direct Auck-Per,just like always.

Not sure how much the domestic fare from my home town,down to Auck is gonna cost though?

Nzer,

As far as permits to go into national parks go, I'm not really sure. My understanding is the permit is like an entry fee, and you get info about the does and don'ts. There wouldn't be too many restrictions from my understanding other than the usual no lighting fires, how long you can stay, etc..............PS. There is a 12 month National Park permit which is the best value.

Okay,the reason I ask is because I had heard rumours that in the Eastern states you needed all kinds of permits and red tape to leave main attractions/access points and venture into "Wilderness areas".

I am glad that WA seems to be like NZ,where you get a permit for a National Park and if it is a 100,000ha National Park,you are free to explore 100,000ha of it if you want.

I take it you have been to some pretty remote places in the Pilbara.....?

might be just like the bike passes on transperth trains, they only care if your being a dick head, if not you dont' even need a pass, its just there for people who don't do the right thing and take the system for a ride... not certain though, because I think your supposed to have one to go down south, though I guess they need to the money to upkeep the massive areas....

@Nzer
The following are the highlights of the region::
Marble Bar; Karrajini National Park: Joffre falls, Dales Gorge, Fortescue falls, Circular Pool, Knox Gorge, Kalamina Gorge, Millstream, Millstream Chilchester national Park: Crossing Pool, Cape range National Park, Charles Knife Canyon, Yardie Creek, Oytster Stacks, Ningaloo Marine Park, Coral Bay, Gnarloo Station,

Should keep you occupied for a minimum of one month preferably 3 months.

Jesus I really don't have that long !!!

Might have to wait a few years till I eventually migrate over there and then I can go up and have a good long look around.

You can do it all in about 2 weeks will be rushed though!!!!!!!

Mid-West beach plan
http://www.businessnews.com.au/admin/files/article/property-lge5299.jpg
It is not just mining companies riding on the back of a multi-million dollar development boom in Geraldton.

Property developers are also expressing an optimistic outlook for the region.

The Hay Property Group is planning a $20 million beach house and land package for The Dunes on Greenough Bay, on a 105 hectare site.

Hay Group project manager John Hay said approvals were in place to subdivide the site into a 40-lot development with resort-style beach houses.

Architects James Christou and Partners will individually design each house, and Mr Hay said the house and land packages would range from between $325,000 and $375,000.

“The philosophy behind the project is to create residential lots with resort-style beach houses with minimal impact on the environment,” Mr Hay said.

“We don’t want to create an extension of suburbia – we want to preserve the dune environment and have a lot of natural landscaping.

“The natural dune environment will be preserved by using raised decking to link the individual modules of each purpose-designed and built beach house. There will be a permanent on-site manager, who will operate the site like a resort, and we will mainly be targeting people in Perth who are looking for holiday homes.

Mr Hay said that after two years of planning approvals, construction was about to begin with WA Country Builders undertaking the housing component.

“There is so much happening in Geraldton right now, It has been completely transformed lately,” he said.

“Waterfront land is premium all around Australia, and Geraldton prices are well below those being paid in the South West region.”

Situated 10 minutes from the City of Geraldton, the lots will vary in size between one and two hectares and the homes will range from a two-bedroom two-bathroom models to houses with a home theatre, guest wing and office.

This is not Mr Hay’s first foray into developing and it was reported four years ago that he closed the doors on the York Hotel which he had refurbished after running into financial difficulties.

At about the same time, Mr Hay had brought in the administrators to another tourism asset Hillarys Harbour Resort after companies he was associated with struggled with income guarantees to investors in the project.

Shire of Greenough CEO Bill Perry said the region was bursting with confidence and once the Dunes project was under way, it would be a welcome boost to that spirit.

“The $100 million port deepening, the $90 million southern transport corridor link to the port and the removal of the train line from the beachfront, and $24 million beachfront beautification project have all fired the imagination and enthusiasm of locals and investors,” Mr Perry said.
http://www.businessnews.com.au/story.php?nid=21316&P_category=9

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-Population 51,519 (As Of June 30 Thanks Finn)
-180km South West Of Perth
-Transport Via South West Highway Or Australian Rail (Perth - Bunbury)

www.byport.com.au
www.bunbury.wa.gov.au
www.bunburybreaks.com.au
www.swdc.wa.gov.au
www.mybunbury.com

The cosmopolitan Port of Bunbury, just two hours' drive south of Perth, is located on a spectacular peninsular surrounded by blue waters of the Indian Ocean, Koombana Bay and the Leschenault Inlet.

A vibrant town with a strong maritime atmosphere, Bunbury is now renowned for the wild but friendly dolphins that interact with people in Koombana Bay.

The 90 dolphins that live permanently in the calm waters of the bay have been coming in to the beach for decades. Established as a place for people to interact with dolphins in their natural habitat, this unique experience is enhanced by the on-site "Dolphin Discovery Centre". The research and information centre provides visitors with a comprehensive insight into the lives and history of the dolphins. The dolphins do not have a regular appearance pattern at the beach, however they tend to visit more frequently during the summer months. While guidelines are suggested, human interaction is not supervised or regulated. All this results in a chance encounter being inspirational and memorable. Dolphin watching boat tours and cruises on the inlet are also available.

Bunbury's other features include Western Australia's southern-most mangroves, rare basaltic rock and nearby Tuart Forest. A colourful "cappuccino strip" of sidewalk cafes and a variety of eating-places has developed along the Central Business Districts Victoria Street. These cafes and the many award-winning restaurants and historic pubs ensure the atmosphere hums from dawn to dusk.

A perfect base for touring the surrounding countryside, a tapestry of sights and experiences are available within short distances from Bunbury. Fields of orchard trees in blossom, wildflowers, vineyards, forests, national parks, beautiful waterways, historic towns, a wealth of art and craft, are just part of the experience.

Other experiences available include fascinating walks, an assortment of art and craft studios, galleries and museums. A bird's-eye view of the compact city can be obtained from many lookout points or for the adventurous by an aerial tour in a micro flight.

For golfers Bunbury offers three international courses and family activities include wildlife parks and a miniature train tour.

The entertainment and cultural capital of the South West, the Bunbury Entertainment Centre dazzles audiences with opera, drama and comedy from around the nation. Modern art by famous local artists Mary Knott and Russell Sheridan together with nautically themed street scaping add to the atmosphere of the streets.

Of historical significance to the South West, French Explorer Captain De Freycinet sighted Bunbury from his ship 'Geographe' in 1803. In 1836, following establishment of Swan River colony, Governor, Captain James Stirling, dispatched an exploratory party to investigate the lands to the south of Fremantle. Lt Bunbury made the first successful overland trek to Port Leschenault and it was renamed 'Bunbury' in his honour. This history is now carried into today in the maritime theming of streets and old architecture of buildings.

Bunbury has accommodation ranging from four star resorts, award winning specialty accommodation, luxuriously appointed beachfront and city motels, enchanting B & Bs, self contained chalets and apartments in waterside and beach locations through to Caravan, Camping and Backpackers facilities

Green light for Bunbury Outer Harbour feasibility study
The Gallop Government today committed $790,000 towards a full feasibility study and community consultation program aimed at transforming Bunbury's Outer Harbour into a world-class waterside development.

"We have done some preliminary works which show that the project looks very possible," Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said.

"We will now commence a full feasibility study and more detailed community engagement on the Bunbury Outer Harbour Project.

"Today's announcement is a big step in the Gallop Government's vision to transform the precinct from an ageing industrial site into a world-class development."

Ms MacTiernan said initial consultation had shown strong support for the project from Bunbury residents.

"We share the community's enthusiasm for moving this project forward as soon as possible," the Minister said.

"Redevelopment will generate a mix of tourism, residential, retail and commercial development opportunities and significantly increase public access and amenity in the Outer Harbour."

Early estimates are that the project would attract more than $140million in private investment and have a total economic impact for Bunbury of $260million - providing 1,400 construction jobs and 170 ongoing jobs along the way.

LandCorp, which developed the national award-winning Marlston Hill project next to the Outer Harbour, will oversee the public consultation process and feasibility study.

The first stakeholder forum will be staged in Bunbury next month, followed by workshops.

Ms MacTiernan said some input had already been provided by the Bunbury Port Authority, City of Bunbury, South West Development Commission and Department for Planning and Infrastructure.

The feasibility study will contain detailed site investigation studies including geotechnical and engineering studies to help determine the project's viability.

The Government will continue working with the Port Authority, the City and businesses currently operating in the Outer Harbour on relocation issues.

Bunbury MLA Tony Dean said today's announcement was exciting news for the Bunbury region.

"The commitment to move forward with full feasibility shows the Gallop Government is serious about making this project a reality," Mr Dean said.

"This redevelopment will provide a major boost for Bunbury, further cementing its place as one of the State's most important regional centres.

"As well as providing significant economic and tourism benefits for the city, it will return a large area to public use, including the construction of a new beach on the ocean side."

LandCorp expects to present a finalised plan endorsed by the community and stakeholders and backed by a full feasibility study to the Government by autumn next year.

http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Portals/0/TransWaLogoFull.gif
Transwa Australind
Perth - bunbury (Double Daily)
4 Car Sets
**Talk Of Buying New Transwa Australind Trains
http://www.racysrailway.com/rr/photos/australia/australind_new_1.jpg
(Old Colour Scheme Below)
http://www.btucker.albatross.co.uk/Australia%202000/Australind%20near%20Bunbury.JPG

http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx?tabid=93

they have a skyscraper!!!!:D

i love Bunbury! the tallest building is amazing. i cant believe the locals were happy with it size. good on them.

Victoria Street 1995, rising 70m to tip! TALLEST SKYSCRAPER IN WA OUTSIDE OF PERTH!!
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an11579951-16-v

St patricks cathedral was a dominant structure for many years.
1980
http://statelibrary.vic.gov.au/pcards/0/0/1/im/pc001995.jpg

The 107ft/32m spire is fitting landmark
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an11579951-3-v

Built in 1921, it wasnt until 1967 the spire was completed
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an23198086-t

the enormous CBH Grain silos
http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-tmp/photodb313368605.jpg

view across town to BP storage tanks.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an11579951-11-v

that silo conversion still goin ahead???

I think that silo pictured, is quite a big residential development, and im not sure how many stages are complete but some of it has been built

that lord forrest hotel has some great speacials too!

$10 million commitment to health care in South West
St John of God Health Care have committed over $10 million to expand facilities at their Bunbury hospital division.

This commitment will benefit its residents and treating doctors through improved access, quality of service and choice for the Bunbury, Busselton and the broader South West community.

National Chief Executive Officer Dr Michael Stanford said that the redevelopment will involve increasing its day surgery, theatre and patient accommodation facilities.

"The bed capacity will increase by 28 beds, the Day Procedure Unit will be remodelled to enhance its capacity and an additional operating theatre and recovery rooms are also planned."

"The redevelopment is also part of an overall SJGHC strategy to support rural health providers and improve access to health services," he said. "As an organisation we are committed to ensuring that Australia's regional and rural communities can access the quality and diversity of health care services available to their metropolitan counterparts."

SJGHC Bunbury is a 92-bed hospital originally established in 1927. Since March 1999 the hospital has been co-located with Bunbury Regional Hospital. This model, the first in WA, minimises duplication of facilities and services while ensuring the best possible care for patients in the South West. SJGHC Bunbury also provides community based services for palliative care, drug and alcohol services and volunteer visitor aged care schemes.

The need for increased facilities is attributed to a number of factors, including the significant growth of industry and population in the South, estimated to be 35% growth by 2016. There is also a significant range and growing complexity of specialist and general practice and nursing services.

This redevelopment will assist in addressing the health needs and further lessen the demands on the public health system. It is anticipated more medical specialists will move to Bunbury as the health campus expands.

St John of God Health Care is one of the largest providers of health care in Australia, and a prominent Catholic health care organisation with operations in Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

The organisation is the 3rd largest private hospital operator in Australia, employing over 5,700 staff nationally. It has ten hospitals, which comprise more than 1,400 beds and treat more than 100,000 patients each year. SJGHC also runs a national pathology practice and has medical imaging services based in Geelong and Ballarat, Victoria.

Bunbury CBD Apartments
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/9891/101919891ml1096945558.jpg

Gallop on election trail in Bunbury
Western Australian Premier Geoff Gallop will visit Bunbury today to campaign in the state's most marginal electorate.

The seat has been the focus of a number of pre-election sweeteners in recent months, with the Premier and his ministers becoming regular visitors to the south-west city.

Dr Gallop will today announce funding for an interpretive centre at the Big Swamp, as well as a commitment to cap the groyne at Koombana Bay.

Meanwhile, regional Cabinet will sit in Bunbury next month, with plans for the redevelopment of Bunbury Harbour set to be unveiled.

Broadwater Bunbury Silos
Project Under Construction
CBD, Bunbury
Kareelya Property Group

Hotel/resort development consisting of 80 rooms, a small conference centre plus
restaurants and bars. The estimated construction commencement date for the resort complex is January 2005 while construction on the surrounding infrastructure has already commenced.

Total Project Value: $33 million


Bunbury Racetrack
Committed Project
Bunbury
PERTH INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORT MANAGEMENT

Perth International Motorsport Management (PIMM) will start work on a $30 million international motor racing circuit at Bunbury after receiving environmental approval from the State Government. The racing circuit would host two international events, a Formula Nippon event and the Japanese GT Series, which will provide a major boost to the Bunbury economy. PIMM hoped to have the racetrack ready for the Formula Nippon event in December 2005.

Total Project Value: $30 million

they built??

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looks very 'urban'! any pics of the bunbury mall??

i love it!!! how cool is this city! i never even knew it existed. just Exquisite

The Pictures of Bunbury make it look so much bigger than what it really is

abit to quiet for my tastes I like the lookout tower at the top of the hill you can see for miles and a great view of the water with the tankers coming in!

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Drug dogs
SNIFFER dogs could soon be used to catch local school students dealing drugs.

Under a controversial Liberal proposal, police sniffer dogs would be sent into local high schools for random drug searches.

Bunbury would be used as a test area, and if successful the program would spread to other regions.

Opposition police spokes-man Matt Birney said talks were underway on how the police canine section could be used to stamp out drug use and dealing in local high schools.

He said there had been an increase in drug trafficking in the South West and drug use needed to be dealt with in whatever way possible.

He admitted it was an 'aggressive' strategy, but said it would bear fruit.

Sniffer dogs would be quietly brought into schools while students were in classes, and if they detected a suspicious bag, police could take the next step.

"It's not like we're going to have dogs baring their teeth, chasing kids down corridors," Mr Birney said.

"Sniffer dogs can be used unobtrusively, privately."

Mr Birney said he couldn't see any downsides to the plan.

He said Bunbury was ideal for a pilot program because local police already had ‘general duties' dogs and canine-section facilities.

Mitchell MLA Dan Sullivan said parents he had spoken to supported the idea as long as it was fair and completely random.

But local school principals were not keen, saying it should only be used if drug problems were identified.

Australind Senior High School principal Greg Slavin said there would need to be clear evidence of a drug problem before dogs were brought in.

"If I was concerned there was an issue, then perhaps I'd consider it," he said.

"I don't know if the public would support it.

Mr Slavin said the Liberal proposal was assuming that there was a major problem in local schools.

"In the (two years) I have been here we have not suspended anyone for illicit drugs," he said.

Bunbury Senior High School principal Paddy Guthrie said there would have to be a strong argument for the use of dogs.

"I've got an open mind but personally I'm not terribly enthusiastic about it," he said.

"It might be an appropriate strategy if there was an identified need."

Newton Moore Senior High School principal Sue Kerr said there needed to be evidence to support any policy introduced into schools.

Outer Harbour concept plan released ahead of consultation
A concept plan aimed at encouraging discussion ahead of an upcoming stakeholder forum for the Bunbury Outer Harbour Project has been released by the Gallop Government.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the concept plan would provide a starting point for the upcoming community consultation process.

The plan deals with some of the issues raised during initial consultation and pre-feasibility, such as the potential for enhanced boating facilities.

Ms MacTiernan stressed that, at this stage, the concept plan was simply a mechanism designed to promote discussion about the site's possibilities.

The first stakeholder forum is scheduled for next month, followed by workshops.

The Minister said during preliminary consultation, Bunbury's business community had expressed strong support for plans to redevelop the city's outer harbour as a world-class harbour-side tourism and recreation destination.

"The vast majority of calls to the project's information hotline were from business people interested in the potential to establish enterprises at the harbour," she said.

"Local interest in this project is very strong."

More than 100 calls to the information line since May expressed interest in possible business opportunities generated from the Outer Harbour redevelopment.

The next highest level of interest came from people interested in information on the likelihood of marina and boating facilities.

"The redevelopment will likely generate a mix of tourism, residential, retail and commercial development opportunities and significantly increase public access and amenity in the Outer Harbour area," Ms MacTiernan said.

"This includes the return of five kilometres of primary waterfront land to public use.

"The project could generate more than $140million in private investment and have a total economic impact for Bunbury of $260million.

"It is estimated that the project will create 1,400 construction jobs and 170 ongoing jobs."

The Minister said the project highlighted the Gallop Government's commitment to building stronger regional communities.

Earlier this week, Ms MacTiernan announced a $790,000 full feasibility study and community consultation program aimed at taking the Bunbury Outer Harbour Project to the next stage.

The concept plan is available at http://www.landcorp.com.au

I Read An Article Today Saying The Bunbury Regions Population Is Expected To Grow To As Much As 136,000 In 2025

beat me to it!!!

I'm looking forward to the racetrack being built - supposed to start very soon.
with it come several big japanese motor-racing events :

japanese GT series
formula 3000
...just to name a few from the top of my head.

Might not be busy right now, but I believe bunbury is going to really start *booming* once the racetrack is up and running! :)

Greater Bunbury Region Scheme to be readvertised
The Greater Bunbury Region Scheme will be readvertised to allow the community and other stakeholders to have their final say on a document that has undergone considerable change since it was first released by the previous government.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has agreed to a request from four South-West councils to reopen the scheme for public consultation before it was presented to Parliament.

Ms MacTiernan said the Government remained committed to the scheme's objectives - to ensure sustainable and appropriate growth in one of the State's fastest-growing regions.

"Unfortunately it is not clear whether the scheme - initiated by the Court Government - still enjoys bipartisan support," she said.

"In recent times, there has been a lot of misinformation about the scheme.

"There have been a number of negotiated changes and proposed changes following advice from the Environmental Appeals Convenor.

"Re-advertising the scheme will provide an opportunity for the community to better understand what is proposed and submit their views on issues such as landowner compensation and management of regional open space."

Readvertising will be for 42 days and commence in November.

Minister's office: 9213 6400

Consultation dates announced for Bunbury Outer Harbour Project
Bunbury residents will have the chance to have their say on the Gallop Government's plans to transform Bunbury Outer Harbour into a world-class waterfront development at a series of upcoming community consultation forums.

Announcing the consultation program today, Premier Geoff Gallop said the forums and workshops were an excellent opportunity for the community to provide feedback on the Outer Harbour Concept Plan, released last month.

"The Bunbury Outer Harbour Project will have massive economic and social benefits for the area," Dr Gallop said.

"I encourage all residents and stakeholders to join the State Government in making this vision a reality."

The Premier said the project would attract more than $140million in private investment and have a total economic impact of $260million - providing 1,400 construction jobs and 170 ongoing jobs in the process.

The Government recently committed $790,000 towards conducting a full feasibility study and consultation program into the project.

"Good management of the State's finances and the ability to continue to deliver balanced budgets has allowed Labor to take the next step in this exciting project," Dr Gallop said.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said an information forum and a community workshop would be held on Sunday, December 5, at the Bunbury and Districts Power Boat Club, followed by a second information forum and community workshop on Monday, December 6.

"LandCorp, which developed the national award-winning Marlston Hill project next to the Outer Harbour, will oversee the public consultation process," Ms MacTiernan said.

"It will also manage the feasibility study aimed at taking the Bunbury Outer Harbour Project to the next stage and transforming the precinct from an ageing industrial site into a world-class waterfront development."

Ms MacTiernan said information displays showing the concept plan for the Bunbury Outer Harbour Project would be erected in local shopping centres and other public venues during the November-December consultation period.

The community consultation program will consist of:

Date Activity Time
Sunday, December 5 Information Forum #1 11am-noon
Sunday, December 5 Community Workshop 1pm-4pm
Monday, December 6 Information Forum #2 5.30pm-6.30pm
Monday, December 6 Community Workshop 7pm-9pm

All meetings will be held at the Bunbury and Districts Power Boat Club, Lyon Cove, off Koombana Drive.

In addition, a series of key stakeholder meetings will be held with the Bunbury City Council, Bunbury Port Authority, Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Department of Environment, South West Development Commission, WA Tourism Commission, the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and existing Outer Harbour users.

Other stakeholder meetings will be conducted with a wide range of environmental, boating, tourism and community groups.

Residents can access more information about the redevelopment project and submit their feedback online by visiting http://www.landcorp.com.au or phoning the project information line on 1300 730 594.

Media contacts:
Premier's Office: 9222 9475
Office of the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure: 9213 6400

Bunbury is growing at a rapid rate, i hope they plan the tare of growth well :)

Super city plan touted
BUNBURY would lose its city title and become a suburb of a new "super city" under a proposal put forward by a Bunbury councillor.

Cr Gabi Ghasseb said he was interested in the idea of Bunbury and surrounding areas joining to form a completely new city with a new name.

Titles already suggested have included Golden City and Port Leschenault.

Cr Ghasseb said focussing on a new name to replace the current emphasis on the Greater Bunbury Region would stop problems of the past, such as shires feeling Bunbury wanted to "take over."

Bunbury would become a suburb of the super city – likely to include Bunbury, Eaton, Dalyellup and possibly Australind.

"It's the formation of a new regional city, rather than anyone taking over anyone else," Cr Ghasseb said.

He said it would make it easier to share resources and fund education, sport and medical facilities.

Capel chief executive Paul Sheedy said the shire was facing a time of rapid change and it was getting harder to meet infrastructure needs, especially for Dalyellup. But he didn't think an amalgamation of shires was the way forward.

"We do support the concept of regional resource sharing and strategic alliances," he said.

Mr Sheedy said he could not rule out Dalyellup becoming part of Bunbury in the future, but the Capel shire did not support it.

Dardanup chief executive Mark Chester said if people wanted a super city they needed to set the process in motion.

Cr Ghasseb is yet to put a motion to council on the proposal.

I Read An Article Today Saying The Bunbury Regions Population Is Expected To Grow To As Much As 136,000 In 2025
Where on earth did you read that?? On the South West Development Corporation's website (http://www.swdc.wa.gov.au/html/03a.php?stattable=respop) it projects growth in the Greater Bunbury region to only 90 odd thousand by 2016. This includes the shires of Bunbury, Capel. Harvey etc as well which have seperate towns in their own. Admittedly the projection is four years old and probably doesnt take into consideration much of the recent interest due to the housing boom. I wouldn't mind living down there - had a beach house at Binningup for a few years.

I agree though that development of Bunbury as a 'second city' should be encouraged to help offsite the sprawl of perth and provide better services to the SW. I believe that they should turn the main hospital at bunbury into a teaching hospital to start with..oh and move that friggin passenger rail station somewhere decent! I went past it last weekend - why on earth did they put it there????

On my way back from Walpole I rather foolishly went through Mandurah/Rockingham rather than through my normal route of Pinjarra - what a mistake!!! the traffic on the highway is ridiculous - constant speed changes, a bypass that no longer bypasses anything and is being reduced to a suburban highway such as Stirling highway with as many traffic lights. I can see a similar situation happening in bunbury as people commute from nearby towns/villiages or as the city absorbs many of the small villiages surrounding it.

Let's hope they don't have continuous urban sprawl from Perth-Bunbury in a 100 years.

Leave the Outer Harbour for the moment, how about cleaning up the rest of town? The whole place is aging badly. I've never seen an area become too scummy for a fried chicken restaurant before.

Leave the Outer Harbour for the moment, how about cleaning up the rest of town? The whole place is aging badly. I've never seen an area become too scummy for a fried chicken restaurant before.agreed, work on the inner city of Bunbury

Leave the Outer Harbour for the moment, how about cleaning up the rest of town? The whole place is aging badly. I've never seen an area become too scummy for a fried chicken restaurant before.

Really? Please give me some examples of Bunbury's ageing.

I live in Bunbury, and can't possibly think of what you may be referring to. The only thing I can think you may be referring to would be the old crosslands shopping centre, but that was refurbished late last year...
Or the old cinema, which was demolished earlier this year...

Nowadays, I would say that Bunbury has no more an ageing probem than Perth...

I think he's from mandurah maybe its regional city rivalry... :D

http://www.builtenvironment2004.wa.gov.au/ybe/projects/st_francis_xavier_cathedral?view_name=g_big

I am especially interested in the Hammersley ranges and Kimberley region.
Yes they are fantastic places, just don't go there in Summer as the heat will suffocate you. I reckon April is about the best time to go :)

Marlston Quay Apartments
Bunbury
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Bunbury has its say on Outer Harbour redevelopment
Bunbury residents have teamed up with the Gallop Government to help turn the city's Outer Harbour into a world-class recreation, tourism and residential area.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today launched a series of information sessions and workshops on the exciting project in Bunbury.

About 100 residents attended today's workshop. Another fully-booked information session and workshop will be staged tomorrow.

"These sessions are aimed at getting an idea of what the community wants from Labor's plan to transform the Outer Harbour from an ageing industrial site into a world class waterfront development," Ms MacTiernan said.

"They are also designed to promote further discussion within the community by those who have participated in these sessions."

Bunbury MLA Tony Dean said the community forums were part of the Gallop Government's $790,000 commitment to conduct a full feasibility study and consultation program into the project.

"We see an opportunity to open up significant new community recreation opportunities including the return of 5km of prime waterfront land to the community," Mr Dean said.

"We also see enhanced marine and boating facilities through the potential for co-location of some clubs.

"There is potential to attract private investment worth an estimated $140million and to create 1,400 construction jobs - the total economic impact of this project is estimated at $260million.

"Redevelopment will complement what has been done at Marlston Hill and greatly reduce local heavy vehicle traffic in the area.

"And - to ensure this is economically, environmentally and socially viable - we see an overall mixed-use approach with a balance between community facilities and development.

"Good management of the State's finances and the ability to continue to deliver balanced Budgets has allowed Labor to take the next step in this exciting project."

A finalised plan endorsed by the community and stakeholders and backed by a full feasibility study will be presented to the Government by autumn next year.

Dialogue With Bunbury>>>>
www.dpi.wa.gov.au/dialogue/bunbury

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$15m apartment complex planned for City
The development would include 36 modern one, two and three bedroom apartments, including six exclusive penthouses.

A swimming pool facility, gymnasium and spa are also planned as part of the services with the first two floors expected to remain commercial.

Perth-based developer and Professionals Commercial and General Real Estate managing director Corrado Cusma said the concept involved live-in apartments which could also be purchased as rental investments.

"We're of the opinion that Geraldton is starting to finally take off [and] there isn't really any quality accommodation with services attached," Mr Cusma said.

He said although they were still in the early stages of development and plans were yet to be finalised, there was already market interest in the proposal.

"At the moment there are a lot of buyers who want to buy to also rent out to exclusive people, the mining industry or whatever is up there. You don't really have luxury accommodation," he said.

"The other thing is the people who want to get rid of their bigger homes and bigger blocks. They'll be able to move into something like this.

"[They'll] have facilities and if they want to lock it up and go away, it's all secured."

The announcement of the development also comes just one week after 24 new serviced apartments were officially unveiled in Geraldton's Marina precinct.

City Mayor Vickie Petersen said the apartment complex would be a positive thing for the town and that council would assess the application on its merits.

"We're a burgeoning tourist destination and other investors are actually looking at Geraldton now and realising that," she said.

"You've only got to go and have a look down at the Marina where the mixed commercial/residential has really taken off."

Mr Cusma said he believed the trend of inner-City living was not exclusive to Perth but was extending out to regional areas.

"We're probably the pioneers but I think...you'll probably get more of it."

Pending council approval, Mr Cusma said he aimed to have the apartments on the market in February.

State Government provides $150,000 towards new shared-use cycle path.
Premier Geoff Gallop announced today that the State Government will provide $150,000 towards the construction of a shared-use cycle path along the coast from Hadda Way, Mahomet Flats, to Pages Beach.

Dr Gallop said the 2.5km long pathway would provide an important link in the City of Geraldton's Pathway Strategy, adopted in September last year.

The plan proposes the development of a bike network that will enable people to travel safely, by bike or on foot, throughout the city.

Dr Gallop said that while the Southern Transport Corridor provided a unique opportunity for Geraldton to redefine its future development and growth, it was important the corridor did not inhibit pedestrian or cycle movement, including access to the beaches.

"The new path will ensure these needs are met," the Premier said.

"It will ensure there is a continuous, safe access from the southern suburbs of Mahomets Flats and Tarcoola, all the way along the coast to the city centre.

"Before too long people will be able to see all of Geraldton on a bike, travelling between the major public facilities and local attractions.

"The new section of shared-use path we are announcing today is a vital part of achieving this vision."

Dr Gallop said the Government was committed to encouraging physical activity in regional communities.

"Apart from the environmental advantages of providing infrastructure that encourages people to get out of their cars and use alternative modes of transport, there are significant health benefits," he said.

The Government's Country Pathways Program encourages regional local government authorities to plan, construct and promote the use of shared-use pathways by providing about $750,000 a year for projects which are funded on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Earlier this year, the Government provided $92,300 for five projects in the local government areas of Geraldton, Carnamah, Greenough and Meekatharra.

The City of Geraldton had advised the Government that work on the new 2.5km section of shared-use path will start in April next year.

Community consultation shows strong support for Outer Harbour project
The Bunbury community gave overwhelming support for the redevelopment of Bunbury Outer Harbour during a recent series of community consultation workshops, according to Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan.

More than 200 Bunbury residents attended a series of information briefings and community workshops spread over two days earlier this month.

"Residents learnt more about the project and provided input into a draft concept plan prepared as part of the Government's $790,000 feasibility study for the Outer Harbour's redevelopment," Ms MacTiernan said.

"This was an excellent start to an exciting project which promises to deliver a world-class recreation, tourism and commercial hub for the city."

Participants showed strong support for a variety of land uses including tourism, public open space, a marina, residential development, a fisherman's wharf, commercial/retail and marine industry and services.

Bunbury MLA Tony Dean said the high level of community participation in the information sessions and workshops showed the community recognised the potential to transform the Outer Harbour into a world-class waterside development.

"Workshop participants used their local knowledge to provide valuable input on a range of issues which the project team will now factor into their recommendations," Mr Dean said.

"It's great to see the community is getting behind such an important project.

"This is a massive project with the potential to generate more than $140million in private investment, 1,400 construction jobs will be created and 170 permanent jobs along the way."

The concept plan's public comment period remains open until February 25, 2005.

Comment can be made online by selecting the Bunbury Outer Harbour option in the project finder menu at http://www.landcorp.com.au or by phoning the Bunbury Outer Harbour Information Line 1300-730 594.

Full details of the outcomes of the consultation will be available early next year.

I'm looking forward to the racetrack being built - supposed to start very soon.
with it come several big japanese motor-racing events :

japanese GT series
formula 3000
...just to name a few from the top of my head.

Might not be busy right now, but I believe bunbury is going to really start *booming* once the racetrack is up and running! :)

It will be the best track bar bathurst in australia,i think V8 supercars will eventually go down there, its good new for the region for shore.

I took this snapshot of the Bunbury tower from the bus, on my way back to Perth on Boxing day. Many people called it the milk carton building.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/passean/DSC07296a.jpg

Bunbury Racetrack
Committed Project
Bunbury
PERTH INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORT MANAGEMENT

Perth International Motorsport Management (PIMM) will start work on a $30 million international motor racing circuit at Bunbury after receiving environmental approval from the State Government. The racing circuit would host two international events, a Formula Nippon event and the Japanese GT Series, which will provide a major boost to the Bunbury economy. PIMM hoped to have the racetrack ready for the Formula Nippon event in December 2005.

http://www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/eoi/bic/proposal.pdf

:cucumber: :drunk: :banana:

Back Beach enhancement to be complete by August


17/3/05

Work on the $5.8million Back Beach makeover is under way and due to be completed by August, South-West Minister Mark McGowan said today.

Mr McGowan made the announcement while visiting Bunbury for the first time in his capacity as South-West Minister and said the project would beautify the coastline and provide an impetus for investment in the city.

"Bunbury's waterfront is one of its most prominent and attractive features," he said.

"Laying of the new sea wall has been completed between the surf club and Scott Street and the civil works are scheduled to be finished by May.

"The Gallop Government has funded the Back Beach project to help improve the city's attractiveness as a recreational area for residents and tourists.

"I have no doubt it will also attract the interest of investors."

Mr McGowan presented a cheque for $2.39million to the City of Bunbury's Acting Mayor Judy Jones as a milestone payment for the project.

The Minister said Bunbury City Council had assumed the role of project manager for the Back Beach project in August 2001 and had undertaken considerable public consultation to find out exactly what the people of Bunbury wanted.

"This will transform the beach into an attractive recreational area and builds upon the State's earlier commitment to the city which resulted in the completion of the $1.2million Rocky Point beautification in June 2003," he said.

The Giorgiou Group of Perth has been appointed to undertake civil works such as road realignment, drainage, creation of the sea wall and retaining walls

Partnership agreement marks new era with City of Geraldton

The State Government and the City of Geraldton today signed a new partnership agreement to ensure the two spheres of government work co-operatively at a strategic level to deliver sustainable outcomes for the city.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Premier Geoff Gallop and Geraldton mayor Vicki Petersen.

"Over the last four years Geraldton has undergone a transformation," Dr Gallop said.

"There is renewed confidence in the community and business sector about the city and region's future - particularly its economic outlook, which is now extremely positive.

"The growth has been driven by a number of major infrastructure projects which are either under way, completed, or on the horizon.

"The MOU will ensure the timely and smooth progress of these vital projects so that the city's growth is sustained - now and in the future."

The Premier said the MOU fitted in with the objectives of the State Government's Sustainability Strategy, as well as being part of the City of Geraldton's five-year strategic plan.

He said 2005 would be a landmark year for the city, with stage one of the Southern Transport Corridor and the new Geraldton Health Campus both scheduled for completion later this year.

Work was under way on the Geraldton Foreshore Redevelopment, a project that would transform the city's foreshore into a world-class beachfront, with community and tourist facilities.

Construction on the new Separation Point Marine Precinct - to house the Batavia Coast Marine Centre, an education, training and research facility and the Abrolhos Islands Research Institute - had begun.

Planning was expected to start soon on the new juvenile rehabilitation centre and Geraldton Secondary College would be redeveloped during the next four years. The new $15million facility would enable upper school students to work directly with the Central West College of TAFE.

"The momentum for further growth in Geraldton exists and both the Government and City of Geraldton are focussed on capitalising on this," Dr Gallop said.

The Premier said the MOU would set out communication mechanisms that fostered co-operation and a sound understanding of local issues by Government agencies and the city.

A MOU advisory committee - made up of representatives from the city and Government agencies and chaired by Geraldton MLA Shane Hill - would also be set up.

The first project to be progressed under the new MOU would be the Geraldton Foreshore Redevelopment and CBD revitalisation

Green light for $1m street upgrade plan

BUNBURY'S Stirling Street commercial precinct will be transformed into a vibrant business centre with the start of a $1m streetscaping project this week.

A landscaped median island, new parking areas, a new roundabout and the creation of a one-way section are among the features of the two stage project, which started yesterday.

The first stage encompasses Spencer to Victoria Streets and is due for completion in mid July, while stage two, extending from Victoria Street around the Boulters Heights corner into Wittenoom Street, should be completed by the end of August.

City engineer Theo Naude said the project, which would include feature street trees, artworks, a roundabout at the intersection of Stirling and Victoria Streets and a one way section between Turner and Stephen streets, would bring new life to the area while improving traffic movement and pedestrian safety.

"It will revitalise the southern part of the CBD by making it more accessible, safer and bringing the area alive," he said.

"It will aesthetically upgrade a part of the CBD which was in need of it, and will benefit the community and businesses of the area."

Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) chief executive Allan Birrell said the project, in conjunction with the planned redevelopment of the library site and the move of the BCCI to Stirling Street, would invigorate the area.

"We see Stirling Street as reestablishing itself as the major commercial centre of Bunbury," he said.

The project is expected to cause traffic disruptions for several months, with Stirling Street becoming one way in a westerly direction from Thursday May 5 for the duration of the works.

http://img269.echo.cx/img269/2913/bunb15de.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img269.echo.cx/img269/9421/bunb27uj.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

no one seems to be mentioning much about the quite passionate opposition that many local landowners near bunbury have about the Government's plans or land grabs if the locals are to be believed.

If you read the local bunbury rags you get a feel for it, but in the Perth papers the passion gets lost. Just travel down any of the roads leading to or from Bunbury and you can see that Gallop is not their most favourite politician!

on a slightly different subject but within the region, I visited Dunsborough for the first time in 15 years last week. Didn't even recognise the place to be honest. What struck me just as much was that between Bussulton and Dunsborough it is now almost a continuous urban strip on the seaward side - not necessarily suburb after suburb, but no definitive break in land use pattern from urban to semi-rural to rural. The outer southern suburbs of Bunbury and Busselton aren't that far apart either really. As this is one of the fast growing areas in the state this to me raises another urban sprawl issue that is just as worrying as the Yanchep-Mandurah urban sprawl of the Perth Metro area.

I pedict that in 20 years 50% of the non-Perth metro WA population will live along this coastal strip from Dunsborough to Bunbury - maybe a population of around 250 to 350 000 people.

This raises lots of problems - the most obvious being water use, transportation links, health services and the conflict between land uses - this area is still one of high primary production value, has areas with significant mineral and conservation values etc etc

The 'Land Grab' issues that the government is trying to deal with now is going to be nothing compared to these. The government is right in tackling a growth strategy for the region, although not sure if their method is the right one, as well as investigating the extension of the Perth-Bunbury passenger rail service to further south.

Im going up north next week i will see if i can get some pics.

Catholic history in ruins









It took less than two hours to bring down the building that has been the headquarters of the Catholic faith and a landmark in Bunbury for nearly 84 years.

St Patrick's Cathedral, which overlooked the city centre from its prominent position on Parkfield Street, was demolished yesterday, 50 days after a storm damaged it beyond repair.

People gathered at several vantage points to watch a 40-tonne excavator pull strategically positioned steel cables up to 60m long.

Multiple cables ran up the side of the 35m tower and spire and around 12 columns inside the cathedral.

The tower and spire, which it was initially hoped could be saved, were brought down first, with the rest of the already-teetering brick and tile building following.

Among those watching were Dennis Maher and Blue Hastie, who were altar boys at St Patrick's in the 1930s and 40s.

As the tower crumbled they recalled climbing the steps to the top to ring the bell for Sunday Mass.

Both their grandfathers helped build the church and had told stories about schoolchildren carting bricks to the elevated site during the drawn-out construction phase.

Mr Hastie's grandfather, Robert Hastie, built the original pulpit, which was among valuables rescued from the cathedral in the days immediately after the storm on May 16.

More than 100 pews, statues, paintings, vestments and sacred vessels were also recovered along with about 20 stained-glass windows removed by the demolition team on Monday.

The altar could not be removed but it is hoped the holy relic stored within it can be recovered after the site cleanup.

"It's very sad, not just for the people of the church but for the whole town. They should build a replica on this site," Mr Hastie said.

Bunbury grandmother Pat Johnson agreed. Mrs Johnson was the first child baptised at St Patrick's in December 1921.

It was also the setting for her marriage to husband, Irven, and the couple's 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries.

The last time they attended Mass at St Patrick's was the day before the storm.

"It has been part of our life really," Mr Johnson said.

"It has been part of the town, to be able to look up and see such a beautiful and unusual building."

Bishop Gerald Holohan said it was heartbreaking to see a holy building and important community landmark reduced to rubble.

Extensive structural assessments were done after the storm but it was soon clear the building could not be saved.

Built in 1921, St Patrick's became a cathedral in 1954. The spire was added another 10 years later.

Bishop Holohan said it would be up to the community to decide what sort of replacement was built. Parishioners and interested people would be asked to fill out a questionnaire over the next few weeks.

Although the building was insured, Bishop Holohan said some fundraising would be needed because the Church had already faced considerable costs in the wake of the storm and a bigger cathedral would be needed for the growing community.

As well as sorting out plans for a new cathedral, the Bunbury diocese faces the task of demolishing an adjoining block of flats - also ripped apart by the storm - and repairing the damaged parish house.

Demolition Direct owner Mike Williams said weeks of planning and more than a day of on-site preparations had paid off with yesterday's demolition going to plan.

"It was a pretty straightforward job for us but due to the damage from the storm there were complications - it was high-risk demolition that went better than anticipated," said Mr Williams, whose Busselton firm worked on the project with Auscon Metals, of Perth.

Mr Williams said the tens of thousands of bricks and tonnes of timber in St Patrick's carpark would be removed today and every effort would be made to recycle them.

Concern over high-rise: Prosser
By LAURA KEYS
Wednesday, 27 July 2005


LOCAL residents will have their final chance to comment on the plans for Bunbury's future this Saturday, when a third and final City Vision community workshop will be held.

All aspects of the project will be put up for public comment including plans to erect high-rise buildings in the CBD and Koombana and the selling-off of public land.

City Vision project director Tony Brun said he was quite confident the community would approve plans for the city, including the proposed 20 to 25 storey high-rises.

"The impression we got from prior workshops is that the community is amenable to high-rises in these areas as long as the public beaches along Ocean Drive remain accessible," Mr Brun said.

But Forrest MHR Geoff Prosser was more critical of the City Vision process.

He said he wouldn't support high-rise building in the CBD and Koombana areas, and believed residents wouldn't either.

Mr Prosser said the Bunbury tower was "a mistake" and had never been fully tenanted.

"Why add to a mistake?" he said.

"You are better to recognise it as a mistake and learn from it."

Meanwhile, Bunbury MLA John Castrilli has thrown his support behind the City Vision project.

Mr Castrilli said it would be a "reasonable request" for the city council to ask the government to allow the money from sales of crown land to stay within Bunbury for the project.

He said it was a good step that the city was defining its vision, instead of chasing the tail of progress.

The Bunbury City Vision summit will be held at the Power Boat Club this Saturday from 9am to 4.30pm.

Contact Franco Andreone on 9780 8270 for bookings

Catholic history in ruins

It took less than two hours to bring down the building that has been the headquarters of the Catholic faith and a landmark in Bunbury for nearly 84 years.

St Patrick's Cathedral, which overlooked the city centre from its prominent position on Parkfield Street, was demolished yesterday, 50 days after a storm damaged it beyond repair.

People gathered at several vantage points to watch a 40-tonne excavator pull strategically positioned steel cables up to 60m long.

Multiple cables ran up the side of the 35m tower and spire and around 12 columns inside the cathedral.

The tower and spire, which it was initially hoped could be saved, were brought down first, with the rest of the already-teetering brick and tile building following.

Among those watching were Dennis Maher and Blue Hastie, who were altar boys at St Patrick's in the 1930s and 40s.

As the tower crumbled they recalled climbing the steps to the top to ring the bell for Sunday Mass.

Both their grandfathers helped build the church and had told stories about schoolchildren carting bricks to the elevated site during the drawn-out construction phase.

Mr Hastie's grandfather, Robert Hastie, built the original pulpit, which was among valuables rescued from the cathedral in the days immediately after the storm on May 16.

More than 100 pews, statues, paintings, vestments and sacred vessels were also recovered along with about 20 stained-glass windows removed by the demolition team on Monday.

The altar could not be removed but it is hoped the holy relic stored within it can be recovered after the site cleanup.

"It's very sad, not just for the people of the church but for the whole town. They should build a replica on this site," Mr Hastie said.

Bunbury grandmother Pat Johnson agreed. Mrs Johnson was the first child baptised at St Patrick's in December 1921.

It was also the setting for her marriage to husband, Irven, and the couple's 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries.

The last time they attended Mass at St Patrick's was the day before the storm.

"It has been part of our life really," Mr Johnson said.

"It has been part of the town, to be able to look up and see such a beautiful and unusual building."

Bishop Gerald Holohan said it was heartbreaking to see a holy building and important community landmark reduced to rubble.

Extensive structural assessments were done after the storm but it was soon clear the building could not be saved.

Built in 1921, St Patrick's became a cathedral in 1954. The spire was added another 10 years later.

Bishop Holohan said it would be up to the community to decide what sort of replacement was built. Parishioners and interested people would be asked to fill out a questionnaire over the next few weeks.

Although the building was insured, Bishop Holohan said some fundraising would be needed because the Church had already faced considerable costs in the wake of the storm and a bigger cathedral would be needed for the growing community.

As well as sorting out plans for a new cathedral, the Bunbury diocese faces the task of demolishing an adjoining block of flats - also ripped apart by the storm - and repairing the damaged parish house.

Demolition Direct owner Mike Williams said weeks of planning and more than a day of on-site preparations had paid off with yesterday's demolition going to plan.

"It was a pretty straightforward job for us but due to the damage from the storm there were complications - it was high-risk demolition that went better than anticipated," said Mr Williams, whose Busselton firm worked on the project with Auscon Metals, of Perth.

Mr Williams said the tens of thousands of bricks and tonnes of timber in St Patrick's carpark would be removed today and every effort would be made to recycle them.

Wow, I didn't hear about this! That's a real shame - does anyone have pics of the building before it was damaged by the storm and then after the storm? It must have been pretty seriously damaged!

It still looked like a church but it was just standinf and waiting to fall, so it had to go.

Bunbury will soon be a highrise capital in the next few years with many developments already taking place. 1 lot of 5 story apartments are already under construction and will soon be completed and another 3 lots of 5 storys apartments are waiting for approval. the Marlston waterfront will soon have the 8 story broadwater silo development start stage 2 and 3. the city is having alot of new developments and redevelopments included the development of the Bunbury back beach and the redevelopment of Bolter heights.

Bunbury is a industrial port city but the redevelopment of the outer harbour will turn it into an international complex. the proposed Fomual Nippon just outside Bunbury will bring millions of dollars worth of tourist and international business which will fuel bunburys future.


The soon to be built Broadwater Apartments. Construction on Stage 2 starts in September
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/3006/reslargebunsburysilos9kv.jpg
Broadwater stage 1
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7469/440od.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Vista Apartments
[IMG]http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/355/20050893541pl3kw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/281/661ce.th.jpg (http://img364.imageshack.us/my.php?image=661ce.jpg)
Marlston Quay Apartments
[IMG]http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/6427/mq2em.th.jpg (http://img364.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mq2em.jpg)

Bunbury will soon be a highrise capital in the next few years with many developments already taking place. 1 lot of 5 story apartments are already under construction and will soon be completed and another 3 lots of 5 storys apartments are waiting for approval. the Marlston waterfront will soon have the 8 story broadwater silo development start stage 2 and 3. the city is having alot of new developments and redevelopments included the development of the Bunbury back beach and the redevelopment of Bolter heights.

Bunbury is a industrial port city but the redevelopment of the outer harbour will turn it into an international complex. the proposed Fomual Nippon just outside Bunbury will bring millions of dollars worth of tourist and international business which will fuel bunburys future.

i am sorry that there are no pictures since i dont know how to put them on. Could someone please tell me how to do it, that will be deeply appreciated.
Thankyou.

Highrise Capital?

Mandurah has more.

http://www.imageshack.us/ then put the link in between

Also this thread should be locked and post in the bunbury thread

http://www.formulanippon.com.au does not help one bit, what is the news on the construction of the track since it's ment to be a race this year?

Bunbury will soon be a highrise capital in the next few years with many developments already taking place. 1 lot of 5 story apartments are already under construction and will soon be completed and another 3 lots of 5 storys apartments are waiting for approval. the Marlston waterfront will soon have the 8 story broadwater silo development start stage 2 and 3. the city is having alot of new developments and redevelopments included the development of the Bunbury back beach and the redevelopment of Bolter heights.

Bunbury is a industrial port city but the redevelopment of the outer harbour will turn it into an international complex. the proposed Fomual Nippon just outside Bunbury will bring millions of dollars worth of tourist and international business which will fuel bunburys future.

i am sorry that there are no pictures since i dont know how to put them on. Could someone please tell me how to do it, that will be deeply appreciated.
Thankyou.


WTF is going on i mean why is the above being posted?

to get that debate rolling in this thread so the other can be closed to minimise confusion ect..

Here are a couple of projects happening in Bunbury that I found on Domain.com.au and Realestate.com.au (click pics for details):

Vista Apartments

http://img.domain.com.au/img/4809/2004858772_1_FS.JPG?mod=050628-103439 (http://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyDetails.aspx?adid=2004858772&n=#)

Construction progress
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/0227/102590227ml1123473089.jpg

Dolphin Bay Apartments

http://img.domain.com.au/img/7547/2005071028_1_FS.JPG?mod=050714-184540 (http://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyDetails.aspx?adid=2005071028&n=#)

Marlston Quay Apartments

http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/8402/102318402ml1112598723.jpg (http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&s=wa&c=31777829&tm=1123811644&id=102318402&f=150&p=30&t=res&ty=&snf=rbs&ag=&cu=&fmt=&header=)

WTF is going on i mean why is the above being posted?

I think he's talking about the Bunbury city Vision project - website www.bunburycityvision.com.au ...

All-in-all a very exciting project if it goes ahead, Bunbury is in for some *very* big changes, and it is great to see the Bunbury City Council being so forward thinking...

But we'll see if it goes ahead.

PM Homeroids.

thanks for showing me how to put pictures on.
Even though Mandurah might have more highrise, bunbury has developments which are higher and have more levels. Mandurah has been booming for a long time while Bunbury has only just started in the last couple of years.

^ Bunbury has city centre development plan which allows higher buildings that what Mandurah does. But there arent any proposals at the moment (a 13 lvl apartment tower will start construction soon in Mandurah).

True about the 'booming' part though.

Oh, and welcome to the boards!

Did this nimbie has his way?? The meeting should of taken place already.

Concern over high-rise: Prosser


By LAURA KEYS
Wednesday, 27 July 2005


LOCAL residents will have their final chance to comment on the plans for Bunbury's future this Saturday, when a third and final City Vision community workshop will be held.

All aspects of the project will be put up for public comment including plans to erect high-rise buildings in the CBD and Koombana and the selling-off of public land.

City Vision project director Tony Brun said he was quite confident the community would approve plans for the city, including the proposed 20 to 25 storey high-rises.
"The impression we got from prior workshops is that the community is amenable to high-rises in these areas as long as the public beaches along Ocean Drive remain accessible," Mr Brun said.

But Forrest MHR Geoff Prosser was more critical of the City Vision process.

He said he wouldn't support high-rise building in the CBD and Koombana areas, and believed residents wouldn't either.

Mr Prosser said the Bunbury tower was "a mistake" and had never been fully tenanted.

"Why add to a mistake?" he said.

"You are better to recognise it as a mistake and learn from it."

Meanwhile, Bunbury MLA John Castrilli has thrown his support behind the City Vision project.

Mr Castrilli said it would be a "reasonable request" for the city council to ask the government to allow the money from sales of crown land to stay within Bunbury for the project.

He said it was a good step that the city was defining its vision, instead of chasing the tail of progress.

The Bunbury City Vision summit will be held at the Power Boat Club this Saturday from 9am to 4.30pm.

Contact Franco Andreone on 9780 8270 for bookings

*So what was the final outcome?. Correct me if Im wrong but Bunbury is bigger than Mandurah and Bunbury is powering ahead but Mandurah is like the fastest growing region in the country and should over take Bunbury soon eh?

^ I dont know. Thats weird because sometimes Bunbury is bigger than Mandurah, but then Mandurah is bigger than Bunbury.

This is just what I know of but the figure of Bunbury being bigger than Mandurah... its because they included surrounding suburbs outside of the actual city limits.

So inside the city limits Mandurah is bigger, but add surrounding suburbs Bunbury is.

'The Bunbury region of Western Australia includes the areas of Harvey, Capel, Dardanup, Binningup, Myalup, Burekup, Boyanup, Peppermint Grove Beach, Stratham, Yarloop, Wokalup, Benger, Brunswick, Roelands, Leschenault and the Ferguson Valley.'

Well Mandurah can add Perth :p ..Having said that I think Perth is starting to accept Mandurah as part of Perth nowdays anyhow.

^ Definitely. But still Rockingham, and Mandurah are very seperated from Perth with only the thin area of development running down the coast.

The train line should help bulk things up abit:)

Yep. And all the suburban sprawl that is coming with it.

:gaah: :hahaha:

Those Broadwater apartments look nice - what's the pop of Bunbury - 30,000, I thought Mandurah was almost 50,000!

The pop. of Mandurah is around 52,000. Bunbury is 30,000.

the population of bunbury at the last census was 50 500 and is the second largest city in the state.

this is a fact.

^ The Bunbury Region is 50,500 which include's...

'....the areas of Harvey, Capel, Dardanup, Binningup, Myalup, Burekup, Boyanup, Peppermint Grove Beach, Stratham, Yarloop, Wokalup, Benger, Brunswick, Roelands, Leschenault and the Ferguson Valley.'

BY YASMIN PEARCE
LOCAL retailers say they are losing business while Bunbury council upgrades streets in the central business district (CBD).

Traders say the council has had scant regard for their livelihoods and should have organised for the work to be done more quickly, even if it cost more.

Kitchen Needs owner Rob Blakeman said he had not paid himself a wage in more than three months.

"The big problem that they don't seem to realise is people build up a business, and now customers are going elsewhere, and you've got to start again," Mr Blakeman said.

But Bunbury's executive manager of city services Michael Scott said the council was aware of the inconveniences and was doing its best to minimise delays.

Mr Scott said they had tried to "explore the costs" to get tradespeople to work weekends, but none had wanted to because they were already busy.

Most retailers the Bunbury Mail spoke to agreed the upgrade was necessary, but said it had been poorly planned.

Bunbury Newsagency owner Matt Waterhouse said the loss of customers in the area had a flow-on effect, because all the retailers traded off each other, with many shoppers using more than one business in the street.

ITP office manager Sheryl Cherubino said the roadworks and paving work was creating access problems for clients, including one in a wheelchair.

Bunbury councillors Tom Dillon and Stephen Craddock raised the issue last week, saying a discount on rates should be offered to affected business.

But Bunbury chief executive Greg Trevaskis said the council had to be fair to all traders and it would be difficult to decide who was most affected.

"But there's always provision for individuals to present a case... which can be considered on its merits," he said.

Call for city entry plans
By YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 10 August 2005


WOULD an eye-catching sculpture encourage people to visit Bunbury instead of bypassing the city, or would it be a waste of ratepayers' money?

That's the dilemma facing the Bunbury council in its planning for a northern entry statement near the Bunbury Forum.

Bunbury councillor and Northern Entry Statement Working Group (NESWG) chairman Warren Lambert said the council's parks and gardens staff recently did an excellent job of landscaping the approach to the Eelup roundabout.

But it still needed a finishing touch such as a large public artwork to welcome people to the city, Mr Lambert said.

Mr Lambert said he was frustrated that more than five years after the working group started, the project is still not complete.

Debate continues over how Bunbury's entrance should look and whether a statement should be located in the 60kmh zone near the Eelup roundabout or further north near Shell Gateway.

Bunbury mayor David Smith said the project could eventually take an extra $500,000 to finish.

Council could not fund the whole cost and Mr Lambert wants to approach local business owners for sponsorship – but he needs to be able to show them a definite plan.

He said a large sculpture or statue would encourage tourists to visit Bunbury, instead of turning left at the roundabout and heading to Busselton or Margaret River.

Mr Smith said he was in favour of improving entrances to the city.

But issues such as how much and where the money should be spent still needed to be resolved.

"Generally I'm in favour of public art," Mr Smith said.

"But you have to be very careful because it can get vandalised and graffitied."

z Have your say. What sort of entry statement does Bunbury need?

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<< MORE NEWS

Mandurah-58,587

Bunbury-31,314

June 2004.

Completion due end 2005

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/19/20050710281pl5cn.jpg (http://imageshack.us) http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/407/security9dy.gif (http://imageshack.us)

marlston hill is where most of the development is happeing mostly along the waterfront. the new city council admin building will be 3 story.

According to an article in yesterday's Prime Space (in The Australian) Mandurah was around 72K and Bunbury over 50K!

^ The Mandurah figure would have to take in Pinjarra and Waroona.

And the Bunbury, 'the Bunbury Region'.

This is part of the article from Primespace in Thursday's Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16295365%255E25658,00.html

Set to sizzle
Paddy Manning
August 18, 2005
IT'S the slow-burn property boom. It's not glamorous; it's not seachange. Instead, manufacturing growth and the resource boom are propelling regional hubs like Bunbury in Western Australia, and Gladstone or Townsville in Queensland.

Even in the relatively slow-growth states, cities such as Geelong and Newcastle have big plans.

Together these five cities are stand-outs, showing above-average population and jobs growth, and are attracting a range of developers who have hundreds of millions of dollars in projects under way.

Tempted by government investment and infrastructure spending, developers and property companies including Westfield, Accor, Valad, Stockland, Lindsay Fox and Satterley Property Group have dived into these cities.

BUNBURY: AUSTRALIA'S third-fastest-growing city has a massive $4.4billion development pipeline, including upgrades to the Worsley Alumina and Alcoa refineries, new gas-fired power stations at Kemerton and Collie, a $300 million pulp mill, an international motor racing circuit, harbour works, and more.









Growth in the energy and resources sectors has created a mini-boom in property development, particularly in industrial estates, and this has been helped by a massive state Government road project that will bypass Mandurah and shorten travel times from Perth by 20 to 30 minutes.

Unlike Perth, Western Australia's southwest has an abundance of water.

Bunbury sits on top of a huge aquifer that could soon augment Perth's water supply, if a proposed 45-gigalitre pipeline goes ahead.

Bunbury chamber of commerce chief executive Alan Birrell said the city's growth was "sustainable, in our view", given the diverse economy powered by resources, tourism, viticulture and agriculture, with the population forecast to reach 130,000 by 2030. Mr Birrell said Bunbury would become the regional service centre for all these industries - if it could bring in the people.

"What's developing is a fairly significant skills shortage," he said. The chamber estimates a shortage of 4500 tradespeople over the next five years, especially in the metal trades.

The problem is shared by other West Australian growth centres, such as those along the North West Shelf.

Mr Birrell said the growth had translated into higher rents for residential property and triggered residential projects such as the Satterley Property Group's $50 million Dalyellup Beach development and Outrigger's $5 million Welcome Inn redevelopment.

Commercial property has also raced ahead.

Mike Jenkins, director of Commercial Realty in Bunbury, said the market was "very strong" and "very tightly held".

Mr Jenkins said some sizeable properties had changed hands recently, including two development sites in the city's bulky goods retail and commercial showroom strip, which sold for $2.2million and $2.6 million respectively.

Mr Jenkins said Bunbury was "pretty well catered for" in office accommodation, with about 5 per cent vacancy, although the present policy of restricting office space to the city's CBD "doesn't work".

In retail property a local family syndicate is developing a major new district shopping centre at nearby Treendale, and Dalyellup Beach will include a neighbourhood centre. Industrial property is in greatest demand. In the 1500sqm to 3000sqm range, Mr Jenkins said, "there are no industrial blocks available or on the market at present". "There are parcels of land - we can go knock on doors - we can go out and find it, but it's not readily available."

Another state project, the Kemerton industrial estate, was developing "slowly, slowly", he said, and was only suitable for heavy industry, including dirty and noxious industries.

"It's out in the sticks ... we don't want it on our doorstep," he said.

City of Bunbury chief executive Greg Travaskas said the city was undergoing a major planning consultation process to cope with an expected $3.5 billion in new residential and office development over the next 20 years.

"The growth is going to continue - it's how to manage that," he said.

"We're pushing more development toward the waterways: rather than being a spread-out town, we are looking at encouraging higher density."

_________________________________________________________________
In terms of percentage, the fastest growing rural regions (towns/cities) in the year 2003-04 were:
Urban Centre State 2004 Pop 2003 Pop Growth 2003-04
1. Mandurah WA 70418 65834 7%
2. Hervey Bay QLD 45506 42971 5.9%
3. Bunbury WA 53614 51485 4.2%
4. Busselton WA
5. Sunshine Coast QLD

70,000 shit, thats on its way to being one of 100,000 + cities in my atlas :D lol.

In terms of percentage, the fastest growing rural regions (towns/cities) in the year 2003-04 were:
Urban Centre State 2004 Pop 2003 Pop Growth 2003-04
1. Mandurah WA 70418 65834 7%
2. Hervey Bay QLD 45506 42971 5.9%
3. Bunbury WA 53614 51485 4.2%
4. Busselton WA
5. Sunshine Coast QLD

Bunbury lost population ..?

lol mandurah growing as fast as adelaide (in actual numbers)

The first figure is what the population will be, the second figure is what it was.

Picture of the marlston waterfront before development
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/3120/p91600048vs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Bunbury at night
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/6066/bunbury5wb.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Rotary lookout tower
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/8527/bunburytower0ue.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Bunbury population acording to the intro sign on the australiand bypass is about 51 000

In terms of percentage, the fastest growing rural regions (towns/cities) in the year 2003-04 were:
Urban Centre State 2004 Pop 2003 Pop Growth 2003-04
1. Mandurah WA 70418 65834 7%
2. Hervey Bay QLD 45506 42971 5.9%
3. Bunbury WA 53614 51485 4.2%
4. Busselton WA
5. Sunshine Coast QLD

Bunbury lost population ..?

lol mandurah growing as fast as adelaide (in actual numbers)

Just to complete the set:

City/State/2004 pop'n/2003 pop'n/2003-2004 growth rate

Bussleton WA 25,950 24,998 3.8%
Sunshine Coast QLD 207,229 200,366 3.4%

have you seen west perth lately. lots of low rise development in that area. just look in saturdays west australian. lots of apartments getting built.

new beachfront development. construction has already started. finish next year sometime

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/4647/medium0202200512041051fe.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the development is called saint arthurs beachfront estate

Marslton Quay Apartments
Images thanks to www.trgproperties.com.au
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/5859/image015pi.gif (http://imageshack.us) http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/415/image022kz.gif (http://imageshack.us)
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2579/image067dr.gif (http://imageshack.us)

there have been two new proposals put up to the bunbury city council.

First one by Valeque Pty Ltd to build a large apartment building at the corner of Koombana drive and Lyons Cove. it would be a 6 story apartment complex.
top 5 floors would be residential, ground level would be commercial.

second development also on koombana drive. 4 story apartment complex with ground level as an underground carpark.

i will try to find some photos

construction on stage 2 of the broadwater silo development is to start this month

the bunbury city council has turned down the proposal to add 2 storys to a approved 4 story building. the councilers said it would stand out to much. it was to be built on koombana drive.

http://www.bunburycityvision.com.au/

Minister launches revitalisation strategy for Geraldton


9/9/05

Removal of the railway line from Geraldton's foreshore and construction of the southern transport corridor will pave the way for the rejuvenation and revitalisation of the city's central business district, according to Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan.

At the Mid-West Economic Summit today, Ms MacTiernan released the Geraldton Regional Centre Strategy, aimed at co-ordinating the redevelopment of the CBD and its integration with the Greater Geraldton area.

"Current and anticipated land use and transport issues are addressed in the strategy and a comprehensive framework for detailed planning and strategic actions is provided to ensure the future growth of Geraldton as a regional centre," the Minister said.

"Other initiatives to be introduced under the strategy include integrating the CBD with the foreshore and Champion Bay.

"The freight line has been a barrier to Geraldton fulfilling its potential as a tourism mecca - its removal and well thought-through integration plan will change that.

"Geraldton has long been recognised and promoted as the primary commercial, community and tourist focus for the Mid-West Region and the strategy will assist the regional centre to continue to develop in this role."

A detailed implementation strategy to achieve the outcomes and guide the City of Geraldton forward is included.

Geraldton MLA Shane Hill said the strategy provided the city with a unique opportunity to revolutionise the CBD for the current and future residents and visitors to Geraldton and the region.

"All members of the community, government and private sector need to support the City of Geraldton in implementing the strategy and maximising the great opportunities presented for the strategy to work," Mr Hill said.

"The jobs and lifestyle opportunities flowing from the strategy will benefit all Geraldton residents."

The strategy evolved from the development and evaluation of a series of options in consultation with stakeholders and the community.

Copies of the strategy are available by from the Western Australian Planning Commission website http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au or by contacting 9264 7777 or 9956 0122.

Does anyone know what the population of Geraldton is these days? Was somewhere about 20K to 25K when I was kid, guess it must have grown some by now.

said to be the greatest cathedral built in the 20thC is the St Francis Xaviors catholic cathedral! (1916-38)

http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/images/gore/003154d.jpg

http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-tmp/rt47748-15818.jpg

http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an23185566-v.jpg

http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-tmp/rt47749-15899.jpg

Broadwater Apartments
http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/41/hotel3ir.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

a perth developer is thinking about moving his proposal to another city if his proposed 4 storys apartments on koombana drive will not be allowed another level. the bunbury city council disallowed his proposal in a close dispute. several councilers broke into an outrage saying this desicion by the council is going against the 3.5 billion dollar bunbury vision.

also the new proposed library will also contain apartments. this new building will be 6 storys and have 32 upmarket units. with the library on the ground level. a drawing of the new library is in todays bunbury mail newspaper. my scanner is not working but when it does i'll scan a picture.

Out of the bunbury mail


Lifestyle of the future
BY YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 14 September 2005

A PLANNED new $7m city library and residential complex could be the key to breathing new life into the southern end of Bunbury's CBD, says a city executive.
A new library has been on the cards for several years, but the issue of whether to include a residential complex within the project is expected to spark debate.

Bunbury council's New City/Regional Library Project Control Group (PCG) has recommended that council builds a "single multi-function building for the library and Smart Building" at the current site in Parkfield Street.

The existing library, built in 1974, would be demolished.

Bunbury's City Life executive manager Anthony Blee said the project had two main components – the library complex and the proposed residential development.

He said although the project could be built without residential units, sacrificing them would cost council more than $2m in land revenue.

If approved, current concept plans would see a regional library and business incubator centre housed in the same "Smart Building", with a six-storey unit development on the same site.

It could house up to 32 upmarket units, which Mr Blee said were bound to be popular if recent sales of Bunbury inner-city apartments were anything to go by.

"The whole project has the potential to be a major re-invigorator for the southern end of the city," he said.

"Overall the PCG believes it is a fantastic opportunity for the city.

"The issue is whether the residential aspect is accepted (by councillors)."

The plans were due to be discussed at a council committee meeting last night.

Does bunbury have a pedestrian mall?

Really sounds like Bunbury is booming.

if a padestrian mall is like hay street no bunbury does not have one
a few years back the council was thinking about making a small strech victoria street a mall. but business believed there would not be enough customers to use it effeciently

got rid of that gay picture

Lifestyle of the future
BY YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 14 September 2005

A PLANNED new $7m city library and residential complex could be the key to breathing new life into the southern end of Bunbury's CBD, says a city executive.
A new library has been on the cards for several years, but the issue of whether to include a residential complex within the project is expected to spark debate.

Bunbury council's New City/Regional Library Project Control Group (PCG) has recommended that council builds a "single multi-function building for the library and Smart Building" at the current site in Parkfield Street.

The existing library, built in 1974, would be demolished.

Bunbury's City Life executive manager Anthony Blee said the project had two main components – the library complex and the proposed residential development.


He said although the project could be built without residential units, sacrificing them would cost council more than $2m in land revenue.

If approved, current concept plans would see a regional library and business incubator centre housed in the same "Smart Building", with a six-storey unit development on the same site.

It could house up to 32 upmarket units, which Mr Blee said were bound to be popular if recent sales of Bunbury inner-city apartments were anything to go by.

"The whole project has the potential to be a major re-invigorator for the southern end of the city," he said.

"Overall the PCG believes it is a fantastic opportunity for the city.

"The issue is whether the residential aspect is accepted (by councillors)."

The plans were due to be discussed at a council committee meeting last night.

went here on the long weekend and i must say it was very nice! it is a shitload better than mandurah. i shall be back! pics coming soon

Psh.

Mandurah has a pedestrian mall....

who cares if they have a pedestrian mall, mandruah is bigger then bunbury, which means more demand. also bunbury has been planned to suit its environment and to also not look shit and keeps is residents happy. that why alot of lowrise buildings are being turned down.

:sleepy:

That comment was... a reply to Chris/Dilaz's post?

What do you mean by lowrise? Single dwelling or medium density? Yup. Mandurah just destroys the enviroment. Its fun.

just for the record the mandurah pedestrian mall sucks balls. the shops there are so cheap and tacky. really needs a makeover.

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5160/rimg07679pz.jpg

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/7312/rimg07634fs.jpg

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/7947/rimg07629sh.jpg

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5083/rimg07689qo.jpg

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/4972/rimg07776sa.jpg

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http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/554/rimg07604dk.jpg

bump

chrilaz89aus you have posted some good pictures of the bunbury waterfront, vista apartments and the city of bunbury administration. i havent been down to the waterfront in ages but i might ride my bike into bunbury today and have a good look at the developments. but i think the thread you made of bunbury is to big, with the pictures taking forever to download.

500mb per second downloads for me and probably more for the iner city members.

Bunbury needs some large telecom updates.

500mb per second downloads for me and probably more for the iner city members.

Bunbury needs some large telecom updates.


Sorry to nitpick, but I think you mean 512Kbits, or 64KBytes per sec. Although 500mbits would be awesome :)

Is broadband not available in Bunbury? I'd be surprised about that... kinda makes you worried about the privatisation of Telstra if even Bunbury cant get 512k!

na bunbury has got broadband. but the broadband ive got is really shit and slow

Yes sorry. Perth has got slow brourdband in comparison to the rest of australia and a private telstra wont do shit for us, screw the country, perth needs improvment.

na bunbury has got broadband. but the broadband ive got is really shit and slow

Then change providers! I'm in Bunbury too, and I get 1.5mbit ADSL... I have no problem with the photos taking too long. Even when I was on 256k/sec the photos didn't take that long to load...

so we got 2 bunbury forums? btw is it worth me uploading more pics or am i going to get like 2 replys for a thread which probalby takes an hour of my time to construct?

^ It has had 37 views...

Do, there good pictures. Havent been to Bunbury for ages!

dono maybe keep your thread as a picture thread like the random perth pictures thread and keep mine as a discriptive thread about whats happening. better do somethink though because there is 3 threads about bunbury in the western australian forum all on the opening page.

vista apartments almost finished
http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/4828/20051509562fs6ot.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Bunbury to host first of four cruise ships


21/10/05

More than 750 visitors from the United States and the eastern seaboard of Australia will arrive in Bunbury next Thursday when the Sydney cruiseliner 'Pacific Princess' docks in port.

Tourism Minister Mark McGowan said the visitors would bring valuable tourism dollars to the South West, helping to create jobs and opportunities for locals.

Mr McGowan said studies had shown travellers from cruise ships usually spent between $100 and $200 per day during their time ashore.

"Bunbury and the South West Region has a lot to offer these visitors including the Koombana Bay dolphins, the wine regions and the magnificent forests," he said.

"I am sure they will greatly enjoy their time in the South West and spread the word when they return home, to encourage more visitors to the region.

"I encourage everyone to make the visitors feel welcome by displaying the friendly nature that is so characteristic of Western Australians generally."

Mr McGowan said the visit by the Pacific Princess was the first of four scheduled for the next 18 months.

The remaining visits are: Funchal, March 19 2006; Dawn Princess, November 26 2006; Pacific Sky, November 29 2006.

The cruise ship visits are the result of an initiative by the South West Development Commission, Tourism WA, Australia's South West, the City of Bunbury, Bunbury Port Authority, and the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries to capture some of the national cruise ship trade.

BUNBURY'S silent law enforcer – a network of cameras peering down over the city – led to two more arrests over the weekend.

Police have praised the system, which has monitored more than 300 incidents and led to six arrests since July.

On Friday night a 21-year-old man threatened and then hit another man, knocking him unconscious.

The attack was viewed and recorded by the "City Eye" surveillance system.

Police tracked and arrested the man as he fled the city streets.

And in another incident, a woman was charged for disorderly behaviour after she was seen by a camera throwing bottles and rocks on to Victoria Street near the Burlington Hotel.

Both police and Bunbury City Council say the new technology is a "fantastic initiative".

"From the police point of view it has been really successful," Sgt David Hurdle said.

Sgt Hurdle said Friday night's assault may have been more serious and the offender may have escaped detection if the incident had not been watched by the surveillance cameras.

John Kowal of ranger services said the technology was no longer taking a reactive role to offences.

"Now its more proactive," he said.

"Resources can be deployed to an area before the incident even happens.

"You get to learn the areas that are hotspots and see how important it is to keep an eye on them."

The surveillance cameras are placed around the CBD, including in quiet streets and carparks, with almost blanket coverage around the nightclub district.

Eaton renewal
Tuesday, 18 October 2005

URBAN renewal is beginning to take place in parts of older Eaton.
Plans for a high density village in Hamilton Road were approved by Dardanup council last week – the first significant urban renewal in the area.

However, councillors Keith Hopper and Andy van Dijk expressed concern for the multi unit development.

The concept will include 19 lots ranging in size from 270 to 343 square metres.

Cr Hopper said although it was difficult to visualise the overall plan, it appeared to be a "sardines in a can" design because of the concentration of homes.

He said it didn't look like a socially positive design.

Cr van Dijk said the development should address the Liveable Neighbourhoods policy.

Both Crs Hopper and van Dijk said there didn't appear to be any open space or communal areas.

"You've got the village, but where's the village green?" cr Hopper said.

Shire of Dardanup CEO Mark Chester said in the past there hadn't been much urban renewal in Eaton because the infill sewerage system had not been fully installed.

But now that it had, he said there will be more examples of it.

"We're aware that there might be other ones coming up," he said.

Mr Chester said urban renewal added another dimension to Eaton.

Work starts on Bunbury silos apartment plan
Construction work has begun on a long-awaited multi-million dollar residential project at the Bunbury silos.

Development company Kareelya Property Group has spent several years seeking heritage and planning approvals to convert the 68-year-old former wheat silos into an apartment complex.

Site works have now begun, with construction workers starting to remove the original roof of the silos and cut into the walls of the building to make way for new floors.

The silos will house 21 apartments to form part of a larger tourism and residential project at the Marlston waterfront.

The company says depending on weather and the availability of labour, the silo apartments should be completed by the end of next year or the beginning of 2007.

Boulters restaurant plan
By YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 26 October 2005


A HIGH-CLASS restaurant with sweeping views of the city is one of the options being considered for land at the top of Boulters Heights.

The idea, still only in the concept phase, was presented to City of Bunbury councillors at a briefing last week.

The idea of redeveloping land at Boulters Heights centres on a land-swap agreement between the city and the Education Department.

Bunbury Senior High School needs land for a new library, and wants to swap some land at the top of the Boulters Heights hill.

Bunbury councillor Tom Dillon said the idea of a restaurant in the Haig Crescent area was first mooted 25 years ago.

A group had proposed a state-of-the-art revolving restaurant, but it was "beyond Bunbury's imagination at the time".

Mr Dillon said there were no firm plans for the restaurant concept yet, but it was one of several ideas put forward.

He said he personally thought the concept was "very attractive" but as a councillor, he would always take other people's views into account.

Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries chief executive Allan Birrell said a possible restaurant would be a prime tourist drawcard.

"We'd love to see a restaurant development up there at the high point of Bunbury," he said.

"I think it's a very realistic proposition."

Mr Birrell said it was a case of "if you build it, they will come," and the area was too valuable to be used only for housing.

The new statewide coastal height limit would prevent the Bunbury City vision from going ahead!!!

I think there needs to be an amendment to allow more than 8 stories in certain zones and Bunbury's outer harbour and cbd is one but im not sure what type of zone you'd call it.

Community feedback on foreshore plans sought
October 21, 2005

The Geraldton community is being urged to provide its thoughts and feedback on plans for the City’s revamped foreshore over coming weeks, to ensure it has its say in the design process.

Design consultants for the high profile project Hames Sharley, who have been appointed to finalise detailed designs and handle the community consultation process, recently met with City councilors to identify their priorities for the $24m project.

This week, they will again visit Geraldton to meet key stakeholder and recreational user groups, to canvas their feedback on plans developed so far and incorporate ideas for the development going forward.

However, the City also wants to hear from any local residents who wish to have constructive input into the process.

City of Geraldton Environmental and Infrastructure Services Executive Manager Geoff Shoemark will work closely with the consultants as the project moves forward, providing technical input.

“We are now getting into the exciting period as we start to finalise detailed feature designs so we can commence construction early in 2006,” said Mr Shoemark.

“Over coming weeks, we will finally confirm the space available along the new reclaimed foreshore area with advice from specialist coastal engineers to determine the predicted extent of the coastline.

“We will also review our initial infrastructure space plans for roadways, car parks, pedestrian access, facilities such as ablutions, club rooms, public art features, barbecue areas, playgrounds, parks and general landscaping,” he said.

“The outcome of this consultation process will form the basis for the final detailed construction designs which will start to take shape from mid-November, so it is critical that we hear from people before the end of the month.”

While it is imperative the public responds to these proposed features lay out plans by the end of October, the community consultation process will continue in the final theme and character design stages as a series of workshops with stakeholders and community groups are scheduled for later in November.

Existing plans for the redeveloped foreshore are on display at Geraldton’s Civic Centre, the Regional Library, City of Geraldton’s website and in two locations along the foreshore.

Should any community member wish to make comment on the current Foreshore Designs they should provide their ideas in writing to CEO, Foreshore Project, City of Geraldton, PO Box 101, Geraldton, 6531 or e-mail: council@geraldton.wa.gov.au

WA announces Rottnest development plans

The Western Australian Government has responded to concerns about the standard of accommodation on Rottnest Island off Perth by announcing two new developments for the island.

A four hectare site at Mount Herschel has been earmarked for a three to four star facility with more than 100 rooms, while a camping area will be build at a two hectare site at South Thomson.

This development will be low impact and all existing trees will be maintained.

In 2003, the state's auditor-general Des Pearson found that Rottnest was under threat due to dilapidated accommodation, power, water and sewerage infrastructure.

The Government says concept plans for the accommodation developments will be released for public comment in the coming months.

'Green light' for Monkey Mia resort expansion

A proposal to expand the tourist resort at Monkey Mia in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area has been given environmental approval.

Environment Minister Judy Edwards today said she had approved the project that would double the resort's capacity from 600 guests to 1,200.

Dr Edwards said the expansion of the resort, which included additional staff accommodation and an upgraded wastewater treatment plant, would impact on about five hectares of land.

The Environmental Protection Authority had concluded that clearing this area would not have a significant impact on the area's vegetation or the habitat of the local population of thick-billed grasswrens that were classified as vulnerable under State and Federal threatened species lists.

The proponent, Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort Pty Ltd, would have to implement a management plan for the birds.

Dr Edwards said the Government was committed to facilitating sustainable tourism developments, particularly in regional areas.

"Shark Bay is one of only a few areas that meet all four criteria for World Heritage Listing for natural values and it is important that facilities are available for the increasing number of visitors," she said.

The Minister said the EPA had recommended that the area of the beach immediately in front of the resort where visitors interact with dolphins, and the surrounding visitor services area, be vested in the Conservation Commission of WA and managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management.

The beach area currently is vested jointly in the Shire of Shark Bay and CALM.

"The EPA's reasoning for this recommendation was that the existing vesting arrangements meant that provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act and associated regulations could not be applied to effectively manage the impact of visitors on the dolphins," Dr Edwards said.

"Consequently, I have reached an agreement with the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure for the creation of a reserve over the main interaction and visitor services area that will be vested in the Conservation Commission.

"The welfare of the dolphins - the Shark Bay's major drawcard for tourists - is paramount and the new vesting arrangements will help ensure that the necessary management and protection measures are in place.

"The Shire of Shark Bay will continue to be a key stakeholder in the overall management of interaction with dolphins and visitor services with the opportunity to be involved in the recently reformed Monkey Mia advisory committee."

Rotto face-lift takes shape

The Gallop Government's $20million Rottnest makeover is taking shape with a new lighthouse tour opening to the public and a number of new initiatives and works under way for the island.

Visiting the island today, Tourism Minister Mark McGowan said the island had been significantly revamped over the winter period, with more than 15,000sq.m of asbestos roofing removed, 52 units in Geordie refurbished, a number of businesses renovated and essential refurbishments to staff housing carried out.

Mr McGowan said the State Government would undertake a press advertising campaign to encourage more Western Australians to visit the island and see for themselves the changes that had taken place.

"Research undertaken by TNS Market Research in July 2004 has revealed that 28 per cent of Western Australians have never visited the island," he said.

"We want to change that and this new marketing campaign - Make a day of it on Rottnest Island - aims to attract more people to the island over the summer period."

The Minister said the State Government spent $3.9million in 2004-05 and would spend $4.9million in 2005-06 on refurbishments to the island following the taskforce report in April, 2004. Half of the 101 recommendations endorsed by Cabinet have been completed, with a further 22 in progress and 18 under review.

"Over the winter period, 52 units in Geordie Bay were completely refurbished at a cost of $3.8million," Mr McGowan said.

"The newly refurbished units now feature new mattresses that can be zipped together to form a double, new blankets, microwaves, flyscreens, polished cork floors and other furnishings such as curtains and sofas.

"They also have new corrugated iron roofs to replace the asbestos roofing that was there previously."

The Minister said the works had seen a number of businesses close over the traditionally slower winter period, either to protect the safety of staff or to complete renovations.

"Unfortunately some visitors were inconvenienced by those closures," he said.

"While it is inevitable that some businesses will have to close again next winter to allow works to take place, I have asked the authority to space the timing of the works to ensure the maximum number of businesses are open at any one time."

Mr McGowan said a number of new initiatives were planned for the island over the coming months, including a new coastal walk trail and a Wellness Centre.

"The Wadjemup Walk Trail will be constructed in stages over the next two to three years to create a round-island walking experience for visitors," he said.

"The stages will be linked to the Bayseeker Bus Service, which will be able to pick-up and drop-off passengers at various stages along the way.

"One section of the walk trail will be guided each day for groups wanting an interpreted experience, with the remaining sections available for self-guided tours.

"The first stage is to link the existing Bickley Walk Trail to walks across sandy beaches and headlands."

Tenders have also been accepted for the development of a wellness centre off the shopping mall. The centre will provide hairdressing, naturopathy, iridology, aromatherapy, reflexology, and beautician and massage services to visitors.

Height fears hosed down

BUNBURY will not see eight-storey buildings lining Back Beach, according to Planning Minister Alannah Mactiernan.

Speaking in response to a story in last week's Bunbury Mail, Ms Mactiernan said proposed changes to the State Coastal Planning Strategy would not allow eight storey buildings on the coast without significant support from the community – including local councils.

And while developers could use the State-wide policy to push for five-storey developments along Back Beach, a tribunal would be unlikely to overrule Bunbury's town planning legislation which limits it to three, she said.

The legislation would also be amended to exclude Bunbury's CBD.

"We would certainly be looking at changing it if it was going to have that impact – it's very much aimed at the immediate foreshore area," she said.

"It certainly won't affect the CBD."

But former Bunbury MLA Phil Smith says local people will need to be prepared for four, five and six storey buildings along Back Beach.

"We should concentrate on the northern end of the beach rather than have three storey buildings all the way to Dalyellup," he said.

"We can't just keep clearing sensitive bushland and encroaching onto agricultural land with single storey developments.

"Multi storey living is what's going to happen and the obvious place to do that is the coast."

Waterfront alterations
By Ken Matts
Friday, 18 November 2005

DEVELOPMENT of the Albany Waterfront could be delayed, as the drive to change the location of buildings gains momentum.
Planning Minister Alannah MacTiernan gave approval for the State Government's development agency, Landcorp, to examine the proposal put by a group of local architects.

They say both the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre and adjacent hotel are in the wrong place and need to be turned around to enable better aesthetics from Stirling Terrace.

The buildings are planned for the western side of the Town Jetty. The group wants them moved to the eastern side.

They also want the profile of the entertainment centre and its five-storey fly tower turned towards the water.

However, concerns have been raised that changes would result in the need for construction of a sea-wall on the eastern side earlier than expected.

More environmental testing could blow out the start of the development by at least 18 months.

Albany City Council was told at its general meeting on Tuesday night that the drive for the building "footprint" change came after a review of urban design principles in the Central Business District.

Council debated adopting the Central Albany Urban Design Policy created by Patric DeVilliers from Urbanizma, who undertook the review with help from a reference group of local architects.

Cr Roland Paver said Mr DeVilliers became concerned about the effect the tall entertainment building would have on the visual environment.

He had suggested the repositioning and had since been supported by the local architect group.

Cr Jan Waterman said the suggestions by Mr DeVilliers made sense, as the buildings faced the wrong way.

Cr Paver said the waterfront development was presented to council with no public consultation.

He said the Planning Minister had agreed to a review of the plans and the community needed time to carefully look at what was proposed.

Cr Paver said Mr DeVilliers' concerns about the waterfront needed to be a part of the policy when it was released for public comment.

The policy included a proposal to restrict building heights to a maximum of three storeys.

Cr Judith Williams said CBD landowners needed to be given the chance to examine the policy and provide comments before it went to public comment.

She said they had the right to be consulted after paying high rates for years then possibly being restricted in what they could build in the future.

Cr Williams said the policy discussed a restriction on building height because of Albany's heritage areas.

But there were few and isolated heritage buildings. To restrict development in the CBD on that count was unthinkable, she said.

Council voted to put the urban design policy to public comment over the next eight weeks.

The old st john of god bunbury hospital is going to be converted into apartments with one extra level added ontop. will be 6 st then i think

great news
construction on the 8 story silo project has comenced with the roof taken of and today a tower crane was put up

great news
construction on the 8 story silo project has comenced with the roof taken of and today a tower crane was put up

Good to hear that work has finally started on the old Silos, they have sat disused for many years.

nice!can you get us some pics?Also what is happening with the library project?

awsome! I went to Collie last week. great place down south :)

exmouth
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3469/102813469ml1132534620.jpg
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3469/102813469al1132534620.jpg

When i was exmouth they were digging the cannals. They also have blocks for sale all the way along the coast north of exmouth, would be amazing to own a house up there.

Hilton Resort Coral Bay
http://www.coralbay.org/images/CoralBayPhotos/Resort/siteplan640.jpg
http://www.coralbay.org/images/CoralBayPhotos/Resort/aerial640.jpg

Blair Street boom
By YASMIN PEARCE

ABOUT $10 million of new developments underway along Blair Street and Sandridge Road are set to change the face of the city and bring huge benefits for the community.

At least five new major projects and redevelopments are underway or in the final stages of planning, paving the way for the area to become the city's new commercial powerhouse.

And the commercial precinct on the corner of Blair Street and Forrest Avenue has just been sold, with plans for it to be redeveloped in the medium term.

Commercial Realty principal Mike Jenkins said the range of developments underway along Blair Street was exciting not only for the industry, but also in terms of the city and community as a whole.

He said each new development had a "multiplier effect" and brought a range of benefits to the city, including employment opportunities and more rates paid to the council.

"You're creating a need for more services, more doctors, shops, dentists, accountants, everything," Mr Jenkins said.

"Everybody benefits."

One of the landmark developments in the area is the new three-story Dale Alcock South West building on the corner of Blair and Hayes Streets.

Another site formerly occupied by Bunbury Nissan is planned to be redeveloped into a new bulky goods showroom, expanding the Homemaker Centre's attraction as a shopping precinct.

Further along Blair Street, local businessman Eddy Gobby is building a new two-storey, 2000 square metre Discount Auto Parts store after the original building was destroyed by a tornado in May.

And about 2000sqm of floor space will become available nearby when the former Repco building is redeveloped.

Clarke Rubber will lease 800sqm of the area for an expansion, leaving enough room for two other tenancies.

A major new development nearing completion is a commercial bulky goods showroom located between Retravision and the Bunbury Vet Clinic.

More than 2800 sqm of the 3850sqm precinct is already leased, only six weeks after construction started.

Mr Jenkins said it was likely the remaining area would be leased soon, as people could now see what the building looked like.

Mr Jenkins said the buoyancy of Bunbury's commercial sector looked likely to continue for the foreseeable future, with interest rates the only thing likely to put a slight dampener on the market.

New 3 Level Development
Corner Elliott Street and Victoria Street, Bunbury CBD

http://www.comrealty.com.au/upload/advert.JPG

Elevations
http://www.comrealty.com.au/upload/File/A04%20Elevations.pdf


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Looks very classy, the developers should be congratulated!

City super campus plans
Bunbury Mail
By YASMIN PEARCE
Tuesday, 29 November 2005

BUNBURY has the potential to create a state-of-the-art research, technology and housing precinct centred around the health campus, but is missing out due to a lack of planning, says a city executive.

City of Bunbury executive manager of city development Tony Brun said the hospitals, TAFE, university and College Grove residential zone "just happened to be in the same area" but didn't interlink well.

Mr Brun said the area could become a unique neighbourhood combining education, employment and housing for Bunbury's increasing number of "one-person households."

He said the area was basically a "clean slate" and had the potential to be a vibrant centre for health, academic study, research, and quality high-density living.

The super-campus had the potential to accommodate science and technology centres, IT facilities, medical, environmental and mining research facilities, student housing and upmarket apartments for people working in the area.

If the area was developed properly it could attract interstate specialists keen to live and work in the same area, instead of battling traffic jams to get to work.

He said it was important that developments didn't just "replicate the east coast" but were carefully planned to have several facilities in one area.

Mr Brun said the super-campus precinct had a distinct advantage over new areas such as Vasse Newton, south of Busselton, because vital infrastructure was already in place.

He said a lack of past planning from the State Government meant the council now needed to "fill in the gaps" to make the area work.

Mega-ships
By YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 7 December 2005


HUGE ships almost twice the length of Hands Oval could be headed for Bunbury if a bold $300 million expansion plan for the Bunbury Port goes ahead.

In a move which could double export volumes from Bunbury and provide a major boost to the local economy, the Bunbury Port Authority is looking at expanding and deepening the inner harbour to allow 300 metre long Capeships.

The ships would be reversed in, and loaded with coal.

The proposal was announced to a group of 200 local business people at a function last week, and hinges on future exports of coal.

Under the plan, coal would be exported from the north side of the port, further away from residential areas than previously expected.



The five-year plan would involve deepening the harbour to 15 metres, moving the road leading to The Cut, re-routing the Preston River, and improving access into the port.

A rail spur would be constructed and Collie Coal, likely to be sourced from Griffin and Premier, would be transported in and stored at the former Western Power bunker.

Eventually, more than 10 million tonnes of coal could be exported annually.

Bunbury Port Authority chief executive Gary Crockford said although the plan was in its infancy, it had the potential to almost double the port's export capacity.

Current exports and imports total about 12 million tonnes per year, with alumina and caustic the bulk of exports.

But if Capeships could enter the port, their larger loading capacity would mean exporting coal would be a more attractive and financially viable option to local coal companies and the port.

The proposal differs from previous expansion plans because three new berths could be created or used without expanding the harbour inland towards Glen Iris.

The BPA explored the idea at the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania earlier this year.

Mr Crockford said a business plan, Government approvals and extensive community input was needed before the plan could take shape.

bunbury is to get an $80 million world class resort on the shores of the back beach.the resort to be known as outrigger bunbury on the beach will be built on the current 11300sq m site of the welcome inn on the corner of ocean drive and baldock streetconstruction will start mid 2006 and when complete late 2007 it will have 120 strata tiled short stayed apartments. prices for the apartments will range from $333,000 to $970,000 for a fourth floor deluxe pad in the first stage of development. the resort will be ran by outrigger hotels and resorts, hawaiis largest locally owned hospitality company.developer john bordin says "i think it will put bunbury on the map". the bunbury chamber of commerce and industries chief executer officer allan birrell said the resort will be a landmark development for the region.

Woooh big boost for bunbury! Too bad its not going to be like the new darwin outrigger but still, bloody good boost!

if anyone can get a hold of today bunbury herald there is a small pictures of what it will look like.i hope it will turn out good, more pictures coming

do they sell it here in the city? You could probably get one... got a scanner or camera?

Hot demand for city properties
Bunbury Mail
By YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 14 December 2005

MANY commercial properties in Bunbury's central business district are selling before even being advertised, as CBD land becomes more sought after.
Several million-dollar properties have recently sold, with strong competition from buyers resulting in sales at record prices.

Commercial Realty principal Mike Jenkins said most commercial properties weren't advertised as they were in such short supply that agents already had lists of prospective buyers.

He said several recent sales would eventually lead to properties being redeveloped, injecting more life into the CBD.

Recent sales have recorded prices of $900 or more per square metre of land, although Mr Jenkins said it depended on the site.

The building housing two restaurants next to the Bunbury Tower has just been bought by a local development group for $1.09m.

In contrast, a vacant site next door of a similar size sold in 1999 for about $400,000 – which seemed high at the time.

Mr Jenkins said the restaurant building would be redeveloped in a few years, and as there were no height restrictions, had the potential to house a much larger building with a diverse range of uses.

Near Marlston Hill, a property on 1113 square metres on the corner of Victoria and Carey Street has just conditionally-sold for $1m.

The former Hog's Breath property also sold recently to a local syndicate with plans to redevelop.

A relatively small 456 square metre lot on Eliot Street, behind the Burlington Hotel, sold earlier this month for $381,000.

The former licencing centre on the corner of Victoria and Clifton Street is expected to go to tender in early 2006 after a development issue was resolved recently.

Mr Jenkins said because there was the potential for mixed uses in the CBD, more residents would eventually make it their home.

That meant more services would be needed, such as 24-hour delis, convenience stores and food outlets.

Campus culture: Plans to transform bushland into housing hub
Bunbury Mail
BY TENEILLE WATSON
Wednesday, 14 December 2005

BUNBURY'S so-called super campus plan just got a lot bigger.

The area could become a thriving hub for students to live and study, as well as a unique commercial, health and research centre, if new ideas become a reality.

Under a bold plan, College Grove bushland could be transformed with high density student and social housing, as well as education, health and technology related enterprises.

The expansion would complement the health and education precinct which includes the existing South West Health Campus, Edith Cowan University, South West Regional College of TAFE and planned training college at the health campus, together with the $14m Manea College.

If it went ahead, College Grove's population could be boosted to about 7000 people, with up to 3500 people living within the proposed 100 hectare area.

A City of Bunbury executive said there was huge demand for social and medical-related housing, but the area would not be limited to social and student housing.

"We don't want to create a single strain – all social housing or student housing," executive manager city development Tony Brun said.

The super campus would become a "town centre in its own right", according to Mr Brun.

Commercial and retail areas would be developed alongside residential areas.

Mr Brun said the idea had "huge potential".

"It would possibly be the only one of this style and scope in regional WA," he said.

Mr Brun said it would also be quite unique in Australia to have these facilities in the same place.

"It just needs the plans put in place," he said.

The College Grove strain of the plan came out of City Vision, a 30 year projection of Bunbury.

It was discovered that although there were separate plans to develop areas of the super campus, little thought had gone into the bigger picture.

"There's never been a plan for the super campus," Mr Brun said.

Under the guidance of the Department of Infrastructure, a master plan for the super campus is to be developed.

"And hopefully it will walk from there," Mr Brun said.

Injunction over unit sale
By TENEILLE WATSON
Wednesday, 21 December 2005


A SUPREME court injunction has been placed over some of the controversial Vista 11 apartments on Princep Street, preventing their resale.

The injunction was ordered last week and will prevent the builder Gilpear Nominees from reselling two units until a trial.

Buyers were told last month that all contracts to purchase the units had been cancelled.

But several buyers have taken the developers to court in an attempt to keep their units.

The court heard Michael John Sears and Kellie Leanne Sears of Bunbury were assured by real estate agents Barr & Standley that the builder would not cancel the contract.

This was despite a clause in the contract stating that if the units were not completed by November 30 the contracts could be terminated.



"I said words to the effect 'I'm still concerned but that if Barr & Standley are happy with the verbal contract I'll sign on that basis," Mrs Sears said in an affidavit about a conversation with Barr & Standley.

"[Barr & Standley] called me back later and said ‘I've spoken to him again and he's assured me again when he collected the documents that he'll honour the contract if the complex finishes late."

Commissioner Craig Sanderson told the court that phone conservation, which was not denied by either the builders or Barr & Standley, was significant.

Mr and Mrs Sears received a letter from Barr & Standley on July 29 advising the apartments were expected to be completed in the first week of October.

However, the builder's solicitors told buyers less than four months later the apartments would not be finished in time, and the contract for purchase would be terminated.

Commissioner Sanderson said the actions of the developers may have broken the Trade Practices Act.

Commissioner Sanderson said without an injunction the builder could sell the units at more than the original purchase price, increasing any damages awarded to the Sears at trial.

Even though each case and contract is separate, the termination of the contracts has hurt many buyers.

Well-known Bunbury businessman Ross Brown sold his home to move into his unit.

But with sky-rocketing prices in the property market, Mr Brown says he has lost out.

"I wouldn't have enough money to now buy the house I've just sold," he said.

"That's going to be a hardship for us."

A woman who purchased units as an investment, but who did not want to be named, said people should think carefully before signing contracts.

She said the process had been a drain on her life.

"You put your life on hold for two years and all of a sudden it's yanked out from under you," she said.

"I'm angry. And I'm angry that we had to be part of this."

The Vista 11 apartments have had a run of bad luck.

When Devaugh collapsed, another builder was hired to carry out the works, with ensuing price rises and delays.

And then the Bunbury tornado in May caused a crane on the site toppled over, further delaying construction.

what the news on the library?

i think the council is still trying to approve the development but there are problems with the zoning for that area and if it will stuff up the view for the new catholic church when it's built

MICHAEL BENNETT and CHRISTIEN de GARIS

THE construction of the $30 million international racetrack in Bunbury may never eventuate after suffering massive cost blow-outs and significant environmental delays. A report tabled at a crisis meeting between the track's proponents, which ran over the past two days, indicated that up to 40 per cent of the land may be earmarked for environmental or fu ture use by the State Government. If so, the land that the group wants to rezone for industrial use to comp lement the racetrack could be lost, tak ing away crucial funds for the project. Perth International Motorsports Management executive chairman Ross Roberts confirmed to the South Western Times yesterday that the proj ect would not be feasible without all the land approved for industrial use. He said even if the land was ap proved, delays could last another six years before work was complete, blowing out the construction cost to $19 million - $7m more than was originally signed in June this year. The project was originally planned at total cost of $30m and already the group has spent $1.7m for consultancy fees alone. He said a meeting had been re quested with the State Government to clarify the situation and questioned why the project has had no Govern ment support. Mr Roberts said the total cost since the ambitious idea was mooted eight years ago was ``too depressing to cal culate''. Yesterday the Shire of Dardanup al so confirmed that the company, for the second year running, had requested a 12-month extension on the plan. Shire chief executive officer Mark Chester hoped this would be the last year they had to extend it. Mr Chester stressed the need for ap proval because the Greater Bunbury region was running out of land. ``They should pick up the pace be cause the availability of industrial land around Bunbury is reducing every day, so we envisage that we will need this land very soon,'' Mr Chester said. Mr Roberts was angry at the lengthy process and said he wanted some ``ministerial persuasion'' to bring for ward a construction date. Tourism and South West Minister Mark McGowan said yesterday he had met Mr Roberts and wished him every success with his project, but he had to abide by environmental and planning laws like everybody else. ``Mr Roberts' proposed industrial estate is bordered by the Preston and Ferguson rivers and contains a number of wetlands it needs to be properly as sessed,'' he said.

matt can you please take pics of the silos construction?

silo construction pictures coming soon

High-rise battle grows
By YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 28 December 2005


MANDURAH has joined Bunbury council's opposition to the State Government's proposed eight-storey coastal building height restrictions.

Images released by the City of Bunbury show several possible sites for high rise across the city, including coastal sites with buildings up to 12 storeys high.

The images fly in the face of the State's planned coastal height restrictions, which would limit buildings within 300m of the beach to five storeys, or eight in exceptional circumstances.

At a planning meeting last month, Mandurah City Council endorsed a report which said the Government's 'blanket approach' took away the autonomy of local councils and communities, and could detract from planned tourism ventures.

A computer image from the City of Bunbury shows a 25-storey building, plus two of 18-storeys, along the Outer Harbour where extensive redevelopment is planned.

Another diagram depicts several 12 and 8-storey buildings in the Koombana, Marlston waterfront, and Point Casuarina areas.

Bunbury chief executive Greg Trevaskis said the diagrams were early concepts aimed at encouraging feedback.

Mr Trevaskis said previous community feedback showed people didn't want five to eight-storey buildings in the Back Beach or Koombana areas, but there were other zones in the city where larger high-rises would be acceptable.

He said nodes where there was "no viewing impact" on residents could accommodate the larger buildings.

As there were not yet any residential buildings in the Outer Harbour, it wouldn't be an issue to construct high-rise along the beachfront as it would not affect neighbours.

He said it was important to make a dramatic entrance to the city and "add dimension to the skyline" which was currently dominated by the Bunbury Tower.

Planning and infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan has said the planned legislation could be amended to exclude Bunbury's CBD – which was less than 300m from the beach in parts, and councils would still have control of developments.

Bunbury MLA John Castrilli said local councils and communities should determine height limits.

Bunbury needed to encourage investment and urban renewal, so pockets where multi-storeys were allowed should be encouraged, he said.

Yeah so thats 4 councils who don't agree with the amendment.

who are the other two
joondalup?, cottesloe?

Joodndalup- unsure?
Cockburn- Unsure too
Fremantle- Big NO!( 3rd biggest Nimby council)
Cott- NO! (biggest nimby council who want 3lv)

Rockingham, Mandurah, Bunbury and Stirling are all for limited scenarios, which is better than nothing.

Damn I would have loved to see 25lv towers in Bunbury!

got those pics yet?:D

How funny, only in WA would you have councils complaining that the state government will not allow them to build tall buildings. Usually its the state governments who over-ride the councils to push big projects through..

New billboard may end long wait
http://bunbury.yourguide.com.au/images/stories/590/000450590/450590_ThumbNail160.jpg
But local tourism operators say it should have gone up sooner and an excellent opportunity has been missed to attract summer tourists.

The billboard, on the Perth-Bunbury highway near the entrance to the city, has been blank since the Cactus Games poster was removed in December.

The new poster will promote the city and encourage people to turn right at the Eelup roundabout to discover Bunbury's attractions.

Bunbury council's executive manager economic development Anthony Blee said the billboard would promote Bunbury as a whole.

He said it could not advertise specific businesses because of Main Roads rules on signage, although it had been able to in the past because contracts had already been in place.

Mr Blee said it cost about $10,000 each time to change the billboard sign, and the council was looking at ways to reduce the cost and change the signs more often to promote events such as Australia Day and the racing Carnivale.

Dolphin Discovery Centre general manager Andrew Horan said while it was good the sign would be up soon, Bunbury had already missed most of the school holiday tourists.

He said he would like to see dolphins on the billboard in the future, as they were a major drawcard.

Mr Horan said 2.4 million people visited the South West every year, but only a small percentage stopped in Bunbury, with many "actively avoiding" the city because they didn't know it had changed and now offered a range of attractions.

Sanctuary Golf Resort general manager Mark Adams said billboards were the perfect opportunity to "brand" Bunbury.

Does anyone know any more? Some renders and street scapes would be nice - its been a long time since I've been to Albany. I do know its been proposed by a company called RidgeCity Holdings but that's it

Council gives green light to modified high-rise plan
The proposal for Albany's first high-rise apartment complex is set to go ahead after the local council endorsed a modified design for the building.

The original design for a five storey building on Earl Street near the city centre was rejected by the council in September, but last night the council voted 8-6 in favour of an amended plan which lowered one half of the building to three storeys but raised the rear to six.

The decision was made despite 290 public submissions against the proposal and a petition with more than 400 signatures, and was met with angry an response from the 200-strong public gallery.

The modified design was submitted to the council as part of an appeal by the developers to the State Administrative Tribunal.

Mayor Alison Goode and councillors Marshall, Paver, Waterman, Evans and Walker voted against the amended plan, while councillors Williams, Emery, Bojcun, Lionetti, Wiseman, West, Wolfe and Jamieson supported it.

Deputy Mayor Dennis Wellington was absent.

The same councillors who favoured the proposal argued the decision should be based on planning regulations, not what the building would look like, and that rejecting the proposal would be living in the past, while others feared the council could be stuck with the original design if it did not endorse the compromise plan.

Those opposed argued the building would overwhelm the unique character of Albany, that the small changes made were an insult to the council and that most public submissions were against the plan.

yeah exmouth is really taking orf! My Uncle and Aunty who live there are telling me all about how the town is developing :)

^ Then you have Albany which is getting shitter by the day. Went down there a few weeks ago and the central area has really declined since I was last there... might be to do with the new shopping centre they opened.

i have not been there in 15 years so i wouldn't know :o

^ Then you have Albany which is getting shitter by the day. Went down there a few weeks ago and the central area has really declined since I was last there... might be to do with the new shopping centre they opened.

It's the same story for most towns that have had a shopping centre built on the opposite side of the traditional trade areas.

I think the likes of the Mandurah and Bunbury CBD have been very lucky to stay viable only because of the tourism industry and they are close to water.

I have a whole heaps of Geralton pics which I'll put up soon. A lot happening there!

Albany is the worst regional city in WA. It just doesn't feel like a place of interest, rather just another one stop town on the highway.

I have a whole heaps of Geralton pics which I'll put up soon. A lot happening there!

Albany is the worst regional city in WA. It just doesn't feel like a place of interest, rather just another one stop town on the highway.

Things seem to happen in Geraldton like the building of the new Batavia Coast Marina but they just can't find tenants for all the new buildings, plenty of empty commercial space there.

The tallest tower (8lv) is going to be converted into apartments after a small lease expires. Another 4 lv commerical bldg is also undergoing conversion. Also a 4 lv quest is about to start.

nice :)

The tallest tower (8lv) is going to be converted into apartments after a small lease expires. Another 4 lv commerical bldg is also undergoing conversion. Also a 4 lv quest is about to start.

City Centro the tallest tower at 8 levels that's going to be converted into apartments looks like a slum and very old. Rather see it demolished completely and a new modern apartment building developed.

Is there another tall tower in Geraldton called the SGIO Building or something?

Its only 3lv. I got pics. Havn't seen plans for Town towers (city centro) but I'd say it would include a facade revamp.

Mayor sheds light on Kalgoorlie-Boulder solar plans

The city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in south-east Western Australia looks set to become the only municipality in Australia to be solely powered by energy from the sun.

Mayor Ron Yuryevich says the council uses about five gigawatts of power a year and setting up a solar power station would produce more than enough electricity to meet that demand.

Councillor Yuryevich says about $13 million in state and Federal Government funding will help the city reach its goal of becoming the solar centre of WA.

He says if the plan goes ahead, the city would be the first local government in Australia to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions.

"It shows how serious we are about the whole concept of becoming a sustainable city of the future, that's what the driving force behind this is," he said.

"Notwithstanding that, we have a problem with greenhouse gasses, this is one way the city can lead in regards to approaching that problem."

WA resources sector surging ahead

Western Australia's resources sector continued its record of exceptional growth last year, with new figures showing the industry is worth more than $33 billion.

The increase of 25 per cent was led by the iron ore and oil and gas industries.

The release of the figures comes as analysts predict growth of up to 75 per cent over the coming decade.

Tim Shanahan from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia says Government coffers also received a boost, with royalty receipts up $222 million to $1.25 billion.

"We now need to make sure that the rubber hits the road with getting those projects that are potential or planned projects for Western Australia on stream as quickly as possible to take advantage of the market conditions that we have so that all West Australians can enjoy further prosperity and increases in their quality of life," he said.

Mr Shanahan says the resources sector is likely to grow by 50 to 75 per cent over the coming decade.

The value of resources production in Western Australia has grown by nearly $7 billion in a single year," he said.

"It's been growth across a range of areas and that's now flowing through to prosperity throughout the state. We've seen very significant growth in the employment in our sector."

Dolphin doctors

PEOPLE are travelling across the world to experience the healing benefits of swimming with Bunbury's dolphins.

They are flying from as far as Germany to spend time with the dolphins – and they say it is worth the trip.

Interacting with dolphins has a therapeutic effect and can help children with disabilities and people with depression, say visitors and researchers.

The positive feelings of people who have swam or been in the water with dolphins at Koombana Bay has now been backed up by research.

An Australian researcher, in Bunbury to study dolphin-human interaction, says her ongoing studies have highlighted the positive effects of being with dolphins in the wild.

Patricia Athena said when people have close contact with dolphins they experience increased feelings of vitality and wellbeing.

"People can feel happy, excited, amazed, peaceful, full of love and more relaxed," she said.

"People can move from sadness and heaviness of feelings to joyfulness and lightness of feelings.

"Disabled children here can become more focussed and more relaxed and they sleep better."

Ms Athena said the benefits were more pronounced when people experienced dolphin sonar by being in the water with the mammals.

Carla Henco of Bunbury Dolphin Therapy said being close to dolphins helped many children.

She was currently working with a nine-year-old boy from Germany, whose family is in Bunbury for four weeks especially for the therapy.

Ms Henco said she had another family arriving in the city next month and in the past had worked with people from Japan and Malaysia.

Ms Athena said Bunbury was unique in that it is one of the few places in Australia where people are permitted to mix with wild dolphins.

z A Dolphin Therapy Day will be help at the Dolphin Discovery Centre tomorrow from 8am, beginning with dolphin interactions off the Koombana Bay beach. There will also be a dolphin cruise at 2pm and a presentation of Patricia Athena's research at 4.30pm. For details call Patricia on 9791 7991 or 0411 559 188 or visit www.dolphinwave.info

Insults fly over Earl Street

ALBANY City Councillors were abused by angry residents on Tuesday night after controversial Earl Street development plans were passed for mediation.
Residents in a gallery of more than 150 people leapt to their feet and yelled "shame, shame on you".

Some councillors were singled out for abuse.

Councillors Jan Waterman and Roland Paver, who opposed the development, left chambers with the noisy crowd.

The crowd gathered outside and later abused Cr Daniel Wiseman who left the chambers briefly as Council continued its meeting.

Albany Mayor Alison Goode said after the meeting she expected the crowd reaction.

She said she knew the residents would be disappointed in Council's decision.

"I don't think we have heard the last of it," she said. "I expect more protests."

Council ignored submissions by residents and a petition signed by 440 people when it voted eight to six to participate in a reconvened State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) conference with the proponents of the multi-storey Earl Street building.

Meetings will be held to resolve appropriate conditions for an amended building design proposal put to Council.

Councillors who supported the motion were concerned that if they rejected the proposal for mediation, SAT would side with the developer and allow the original design rejected by Council in September.

Cr Judith Williams said it was Council's duty to encourage development and to nurture Albany's character.

She said there were always going to be differing opinions, but the building development needed to be considered in a subjective way.

The proponents had made changes to the original plans that met planning requirements.

Cr Williams said it was time for Albany to go forward. That would require changes, she said.

Cr Bob Emery said it was time to take a long, hard look at where Albany was going as a community.

He said there would be a variety of accommodation demands on the city as it grew.

There would be a growing demand for units close to the centre, he said.

Cr Wiseman said it was important for Council to retain some control on the development.

Cr John Jamieson said Council had to deliver on planning policies set down in 1983.

He said the proponents were originally given an outline of what could be built, with options including a seven-storey hotel.

The proponents had done the right thing by attempting to embrace community concerns generated by only one per cent of voters.

He said the building was "no work of art" but it represented something tangible.

Cr Paver said agreeing to the multi-storey building would only repeat errors of the past and poor planning decisions.

He was dismayed Council agreed to the conciliation process, leaving it in a weak position, but believed the matter should have been left with SAT.

Cr Waterman said Council asked the community what it thought was the desired height for buildings, and the community had answered.

She said the development was out of character and had nothing to do with Albany.

Cr Milton Evans said the proponents failed to convince him Council was doing the right thing by compromising in the matter.

SAT required the proponent and Council to participate in a "without prejudice" conference to determine if a mediated outcome could be achieved, before the matter is required to go through a formal hearing.

As a result of the mediation process on December 12, the proponent submitted amended plans for Council's consideration.

SAT has suspended the conference until early February and requested that Council consider the amended proposal by the end of January 2006.

The resident action group against the development held a rally last Saturday, organising a cherry picker on site to demonstrate the height of the building and distributing a petition.

But proponent Chris Plowman said the cherry picker ploy only helped his cause.

He said he had received comments from a number of people who said it gave a better idea of the size of the building.

The original five-storey design was altered to lower the front half to three storeys, but raise the rear to six.

Sex and the city of gold

SEX is probably not for sale at your favourite coffee shop. But good coffee is served at Langton's, one of Kalgoorlie's most famous brothels.

Take a peek ... Kalgoorlie's Questa Casa is reputedly the oldest brothel in Australia. Picture: David Kelly
An outdoor sign advertises "coffee and cake from 11am to 6pm". Bus parties are a big part of their business.

I watched a troop of grandmotherly figures streaming into the brothel for a $35-per-person tour that included refreshments, a talk about the history of the town's sex industry and an escorted peek into rooms used by prostitutes and clients.

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A few doors down locally notorious Hay St, Questa Casa, "the oldest brothel in Australia", runs shorter tours at $17 to "learn why we were allowed and the draconian rules ... of the Wild West".

The street's third operating brothel shuns tours, believing stickybeaks drive away regular custom (a view shared by several locals I met). The two offering tours, by contrast, take the view that there is more money in tourism than sex.

The brothels, along a street on the fringe of downtown and close to the railway station, have car repairers as neighbours. A shopping mall with supermarket is up the street.

Hotels distribute brochures. The tourist office sells tickets. Bus companies run tours. It's all above board in a town where prostitution is part of the scenery.

"This is nothing if you've been to Amsterdam or Bangkok," yawns a British tourist after a stroll down the sex strip. "It's all so innocent-looking."






The neatly-painted trio of establishments still functions (with discreet rear entrances), but rough-and-ready "stalls" that formerly served as work spaces are now just facades. Contemporary clients expect greater comfort.

A fourth brothel has been transformed into backpacker lodgings. The industry, like that in other Australian locales, now depends more on advertised mobile telephone numbers.

Commercial sex has taken a knock in Kalgoorlie (billed as Australia's largest outback city when coupled with its twin town, Boulder). Officials say this is because the population of Western Australia's most important goldmining town is no longer heavily skewed toward single males with money to burn.

But more than a century ago, brothels became an accepted part of the urban landscape, with strict rules governing their operation.

Modern miners, however, are likely to be married or in stable relationships. Kalgoorlie, and adjoining Boulder, are family-oriented these days.

Resurgent gold and nickel production is reversing hard times, once again bringing a steady stream of newcomers to the area to work in mines or a multitude of service industries.

The two towns focus increasingly on tourism, with non-participatory "sex tours" just one of many diversions on offer.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder emphasises a rambunctious history, anchored by a multitude of pubs. Some of these are exceptionally grand, with sweeping staircases leading to refurbished accommodation replete with antiques.

Times have changed. Today's crews, tech-savvy and using expensive machinery, dare not show up to work drunk. Some pubs now open only at 4pm. Others, such as the famous Exchange Hotel with saloon-style swing doors, open all day and depend heavily on tourism.

Blackboard signs beckon from footpaths: "New skimpy Kylie just arrived." A skimpy, in local parlance, is a barmaid clad in see-through top and g-string. Many work in Kalgoorlie, some of them travellers taking a break. Pole dancers, also locally in vogue, are a rung up from "skimpies".

One historic pub, Boulder's Metropole, boasts a tunnel to the main bar. It was built by miners in the early 1900s as an offshoot from a mine tunnel.

One story holds it was built so miners could slake their thirsts quickly after shifts; another suggests it enabled an illegal but discreet gold trade in the pub.

A connection to US President Herbert Hoover is fondly remembered. Former Kalgoorlie resident Hoover went on to occupy the White House during the Great Depression.

The Palace Hotel, steeped in history, displays a heavy mirror with a broad and ornately-carved timber frame. It was a gift, along with a love poem on show alongside it, sent at great cost from the US to Kalgoorlie in 1898. Hoover was a 22-year-old mining engineer when he arrived in the town the previous year.

During a year in Australia he was based mostly at remote goldfields. But, during time off, he checked into the Palace Hotel.

There, he became besotted with a barmaid. Heartbroken at being transferred overseas, he sent the mirror as a somewhat over-the-top gift to the woman.

The four-year-old Mining Hall of Fame is a major mining attraction, with tours down 36m of an old shaft's 395m. Gold-panning is also available.

In central Kalgoorlie, the local branch of the Western Australian Museum exhibits an impressive displays of gold nuggets. However, the Super Pit just out of town is the most awesome reminder of mining's importance.

Part of the original Golden Mile, it is an open-cut mine 3.2km long, 1.3km wide and 330m deep – and still growing.

Silo construction 31/1/06
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http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5842/silo54ct.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2634/silo66kt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Stage 1 silo project
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Marlston Broadwalk near completion
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3075/silo34iy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Excellent photos, thanks Matt_Sbs! :)

Thanks for the update.

as you can see the roof has been taken off and holes have been made for windows and doors

Hardest stage of silos underway
BY YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 1 February 2006


CONSTRUCTION has started on the most difficult phase of the $50m Bunbury Silos development.

Work is just starting on the first floor of the eight-storey Stage 2 silos project, being built by Perth company Arccon.

Arccon managing director Robert Wilde said getting the plans right at the initial stage of the project had been complex and building the floors was now the hardest part of the job.

"The most difficult part is getting the floors set in and formed up – then we can treat it the same as any other multi-storey apartment complex," Mr Wilde said.

He said safety and the structural integrity of the building were vital at every stage, and there was minimal drilling, cutting or disturbing the walls.

A huge concrete column running through the centre of the silo – but hidden from view – will help hold the weight of the floors.

An extra floor will be added to the top as a penthouse suite, and the roofline will be changed slightly to resemble a harbourmaster's house design.

Mr Wilde said about 80 construction workers would be on the job during the peak phase of the project.

Stage 2 is due to be finished by December 2006 and will be handed over to the owners, Bunbury Silos Ltd, for a final fitout of curtains and soft furnishings.

Nineteen units of the 21 available have sold, with all but one selling to local people.

Stage 3 of the project, a separate apartment complex, will start in April or May 2006.

Silos exclusive marketing agent Stan Clifton, of the Professionals, said Stage 3 had only been put on the market two weeks ago but interest was already strong.

It will comprise 25 residential strata-titled units over six levels.

Their average size is 135 square metres, with some up to 180 square metres with four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The units range from $950,000 to a record-breaking $2.25 million.

Also in the same block will be 64 hotel units, which will be operated by the resort and are not for sale.

z Have your say. Will the silos development fill a need in Bunbury? Our address is on page 2.

Welcome to Outrigger Bunbury on the Beach

Outrigger Bunbury on the Beach heralds a new era in luxury tourist accommodation for Bunbury and the South West.

Only 120 one and two bedroom, single or dual key beachfront apartments are available for sale.

Three separate apartment complexes, surrounded by an aquatic paradise of lagoon pools, private plunge pools (for a select few) and spa baths in each apartment will position Outrigger Bunbury as a must-visit holiday retreat for both domestic travellers and the West’s growing international traveller market.

Combined with a day spa, retail areas, restaurant and café, Outrigger Bunbury is not just a retreat, it’s a destination.

Award-winning international architects, Hames Sharley will bring Outrigger to life, with Carmody Group responsible for creating inviting and lavish living interiors to suit the most fastidious guest.

Indoors extend outdoors at Outrigger Bunbury. Smooth, contemporary exteriors blend harmoniously with the recently upgraded foreshore along Bunbury’s popular surf beach, known as Back Beach.

The gentle curves of the exterior resemble the waves nearby and the glass emphasis throughout affords guests panoramic views and presents to passers-by a development that is at one with its natural beachside surrounds.

While the quality interiors and furnishings, cutting-edge design and beachside location of Outrigger will be second-to-none, the true sense of a resort is the array of facilities it provides.

When complete in late 2007, Outrigger Bunbury on the Beach will offer:

Day spa
Gymnasium
Restaurant and café
24-hour reception and tour desk
Room service
Conference facilities for up to 250 delegates
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/5451/outrigger6wq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/2763/outrigger26ls.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

New research centre

THE Dolphin Discovery Centre will soon boast a new building and improved research and visitor facilities.

$260,000 has been allocated to the centre through the Regional Infrastructure Funding Program to assist with the Dolphin Tourism and Research Facilities project.

The funds will be put towards the construction of the new building.

Manager Andrew Horan said the funding boost would assist with the development of the centre's research program, as well as benefiting the thousands of people who visit the centre each year.

"The money will enable us to build facilities to improve the tourism experience and the infrastructure for the research team to work from," he said.

"It will also provide improved facilities for volunteers and access for the public to have a contact point with the volunteers."

The new building will include expanded facilities for volunteers, a conference and education room, a research office and workstations and a boat and storage shed for the research boat.

Mr Horan said the funds would also go towards decking and shade areas.

"It is a very important part of our planning for the next 10 years," he said.

"It will enable us to grow our research capacity, provide an improved experience to visitors to the centre and greater education capabilities."

THE entry to Dunsborough is set to change forever with the construction of a major landmark building.
People enterting the iconic coastal town are currently greeted by a bitumen carpark on the corner of Caves Road and Seymour Boulevard.

However, the area is set to be transformed into 12 aesthetically-designed three-storey short stay tourist units, four permanent residences and four commerical units if approved by Busselton council next week.

Capes-based architect Chris Willcox said designing the development had weighed heavily on his mind because he knew it would be the entry statement to the popular town.

"It was important to keep in line with the character of Dunsborough," he said. "We are using timber and limestone, but in an urban way. It's a very urban solution, in line with Subiaco Centro."

Mr Willcox said he had worked closely with Busselton council to come up with a design that would be a good result for developers but also the town.

The plans did not go out for public consultation because they comply with the business zoning of the area.

However, developers consulted with neighbouring strata titleholders, who generally approved of the development.

Dunsborough Hotel proprietor Glenn Connell said he had raised objections, mainly because of concerns about proximity to the hotel and potential noise issues.

But overall he was ready to accept the development.

"I hope it will be a nice entry statement to the town I live in," he said.

Council officers have recommended approving the project, subject to a couple of minor changes.

An officer's report to council says it complies with the Dunsborough Townscape Plan, which identifies the site for a landmark building.

The report also recommends the addition of a raised portico or roof section to provide a feature at the front of the building.

Council is expected to make a decision on the proposal at its February 8 meeting.

Mr Willcox said construction could begin within months once approval is given.

Resort to boost booming Bunbury

CONSTRUCTION will begin this year on an $80 million oceanfront resort at Bunbury in Western Australia.

Hawaiian-based hotel chain Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has been signed to operate the 205-suite Bunbury on the Beach resort.

The developer, local partnership Freestyle Projects, has owned the 11,300sqm Ocean Drive land for six years. The 40-year-old Welcome Inn motel on the site will be demolished.

The resort will be Outrigger's first on the Indian Ocean. The Honolulu-based chain operates 12,000 rooms around the Pacific, in Hawaii, Guam, Tahiti, Fiji, Bali, New Zealand and Australia.

Freestyle joint managing director John Bordin said the project had been on the drawing board for four years.

Bunbury's economy was booming due to significant mining activity in the region and the city had very low unemployment, Mr Brodin noted.

"It's abuzz - there is no other word for it," Mr Bordin said.

The resort, which received development approval from Bunbury City Council two years ago, was the first project for the partnership.

Architects CMP and Hames Sharley had designed the resort to have 120 strata-titled apartments, with 205 lettable suites.

The apartments would comprise a mix of studios and one and two-bedroom dual-key suites, in three separate buildings stepped back over five levels.

About 30 apartments had been sold, mostly to local buyers. Prices ranged between $330,000 and $900,000.

Negotiations were in the final stages for Perth-based construction company Pindan to build the resort.

Facilities will include a day spa, two lagoon pools, undercover parking, a restaurant and cafe, 24-hour hotel reception and corporate meeting facilities.

Outrigger's Oceania manager, Dave Lawrence, said Western Australia had been in the company's sights for some time.

Infrastructure projects worth $5 billion were planned around Bunbury and strong occupancy levels were expected from the leisure, corporate and mining sectors as a result of Bunbury's booming economy and thriving port, he said.

The resort would be the first international, full-service hotel in Bunbury, south of Perth.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, hotel occupancy rates in the Bunbury region rose sharply last year to 72 per cent, up from 59 per cent the previous year.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5963/picresort44hi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

www.outriggerbunbury.info (http://www.outriggerbunbury.info)

looks like the ideal beach for a shark attack :)

Hardest stage of silos underway
Bunbury Mail
BY YASMIN PEARCE
Wednesday, 1 February 2006


CONSTRUCTION has started on the most difficult phase of the $50m Bunbury Silos development.

Work is just starting on the first floor of the eight-storey Stage 2 silos project, being built by Perth company Arccon.

Arccon managing director Robert Wilde said getting the plans right at the initial stage of the project had been complex and building the floors was now the hardest part of the job.

"The most difficult part is getting the floors set in and formed up – then we can treat it the same as any other multi-storey apartment complex," Mr Wilde said.

He said safety and the structural integrity of the building were vital at every stage, and there was minimal drilling, cutting or disturbing the walls.

A huge concrete column running through the centre of the silo – but hidden from view – will help hold the weight of the floors.

An extra floor will be added to the top as a penthouse suite, and the roofline will be changed slightly to resemble a harbourmaster's house design.

Mr Wilde said about 80 construction workers would be on the job during the peak phase of the project.

Stage 2 is due to be finished by December 2006 and will be handed over to the owners, Bunbury Silos Ltd, for a final fitout of curtains and soft furnishings.

Nineteen units of the 21 available have sold, with all but one selling to local people.

Stage 3 of the project, a separate apartment complex, will start in April or May 2006.

Silos exclusive marketing agent Stan Clifton, of the Professionals, said Stage 3 had only been put on the market two weeks ago but interest was already strong.

It will comprise 25 residential strata-titled units over six levels.

Their average size is 135 square metres, with some up to 180 square metres with four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The units range from $950,000 to a record-breaking $2.25 million.

Also in the same block will be 64 hotel units, which will be operated by the resort and are not for sale.

according to the lighthouse realty group 21 apartments have been sold for the outrigger resort

south hedland
http://www.realestate.com.au/objects/props/3489/103003489ml1140424091.jpg

Population booming as shire plans for future

BUSSELTON shire CEO Andrew Macnish this week said avoiding urban sprawl would be the long-term key to retaining the shire's appeal to both residents and tourists.
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week placed Busselton among the fastest growing populations in the country.

The shire grew by 6.4 per cent last year - taking the population to 27,500 and making it WA's third fastest growing regional population behind Capel and Dardanup.

In the last financial year the shire processed more building applications than ever before.

Mr Macnish said it would be interesting to see how the ever-increasing population would affect Busselton's identity and attraction to tourists.

"Certainly from my observations there is quite a difference in the attitudes between Busselton town, Dunsborough and surrounds," he said.

"I believe that tourists will continue to be discerning in their choice of destination and the respective locations will still be able to deliver the desired product until the population pressures have a significant negative impact.

"The Peel deviation, continued excellent wine and related exposure, pristine coastline, Ironman, Hilton resort, Smiths Beach tourist development and possible Busselton Jetty precinct development will continue to attract people."

Mr Macnish said options for dealing with the population growth would be addressed by a new Town Planning Scheme that was yet to be discussed by council.

He said he believed the best option was to avoid a coastal urban sprawl situation by a defined plan.

"The strategic plan draft before council's next meeting supports creating nodes of housing with hard edges to protect against sprawl," he said.

"Existing known nodes with some increased densities should be able to accommodate 75,000 but thereafter it would be prudent to explore a new node rather than increase densities or allow sprawl."

Mr Macnish said while growth would slow down the shire needed a strong local economy to support it.

"There will be a catch-up needed for the local economy to respond or a recognition that external economies must be utilised," he said.

"The local economy's ability to provide affordable housing land and build within a timely manner should also start to bite. However, housing prices in WA are still generally increasing, not just here."

In 2004/05 there were 1707 building licences issued in the Shire of Busselton at a value of $198million, up by $39million on the previous year.

New $8million visitor centre for Shark Bay

A new $8million centre showcasing the unique Shark Bay World Heritage area has been officially opened by Premier Alan Carpenter today.

The Premier said the Shark Bay Interpretive Centre in Denham was set to become a focal point for the 150,000 people who visited the area every year.

"The new centre will be a significant addition to tourism in the area and will play an important role in promoting the immense historical and natural importance of the region," Mr Carpenter said.

North West Coastal MLA Fred Riebeling said the centre was a welcome addition to the local community and would enhance visitor's understanding and respect for the area's World Heritage values.

The Premier said Shark Bay had been on the World Heritage list since 1991, due to the area's significant scientific and cultural values.

The area was internationally renowned for the famous Monkey Mia dolphins and was also the place of the earliest documented landing by Europeans in Australia at nearby Dirk Hartog Island.

Mr Carpenter said the centre showcased the region's history and natural heritage through innovative design.

"The interpretive centre features an amazing map of the World Heritage area etched into the concrete floor, astounding images and videos from some of the State's best landscape and wildlife photographers, and interactive computers that allow visitors to search for information on Shark Bay, including some of the early maps of the region," he said.

"A great design component in the main room is the organisation of displays in the same alignment as their geographical position in Shark Bay. These include important historical relics from the early Dutch, English and French explorers.

"The building, to be managed by the Shire of Shark Bay, also incorporates a temporary exhibition space that will help promote local and visiting artists and designers."

The Premier congratulated Sydney-based company Freeman Ryan Design, which was charged with interpretive design and content of the centre and architect John Nichols of Woodhead International for an outstanding job.

Mr Carpenter also acknowledged the Commonwealth Government, Shire of Shark Bay, Gascoyne Development Commission, Lotterywest and the Department of Conservation and Land Management for their commitment to the project.

"The State Government committed $5million towards the construction of this centre through the $75million Regional Investment Fund," he said.

"The Shire of Shark Bay provided the land, with the Commonwealth Government providing $1million for the development of interpretive themes, art direction, interpretive materials and some internal fit-out costs.

"This is a great example of collaboration and what can be achieved when State, Commonwealth and local governments and the community work together."

This is what the silos might look like if everything goes to plan

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/9004/silo10ay.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/5862/26610silos3stg27ue.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^Looks very nice! You'll hardly be able to tell they were silos to being with.

Ningaloo boom adds park beds

Coral Bay is be transformed from sleepy holiday village to must-see tourism destination in the next five years, with a $20 million plan to create a 3½ star resort alongside the planned $60 million Ningaloo Hilton.

The pristine coastal getaway is in desperate need of new accommodation, with existing caravan parks and motels pushed to their limit during the peak mid-year holiday season.

The new mid-range resort on the site of the existing People's Park Caravan Village will aim to complement, and not compete with, the new $60 million Ningaloo Hilton five-star resort being built next door, according to park co-owner Norm Monck.

The new resort will cater for almost twice as many visitors, with an increase in bed numbers from 472 to 798 but is designed in keeping with State Government plans for growth in the Ningaloo region. It includes a turtle-shaped wilderness lodge and chalets.

A third plan to upgrade and expand the town's biggest tourism landholding, which includes the Bayview Caravan Park, is expected to be revealed next month.

Ningaloo Sustainable Development Office head David Nunn said Coral Bay's three major landowners had been asked to submit master plans for their sites to help with the future planning and development of the town.

Tourist numbers in Coral Bay have been capped at 3600 a night under the regional strategy approved by the State Government.

No new tourism developments will be allowed in the coastal town other than the three sites. The Ningaloo Hilton has been granted planning approvals and construction is due to start later this year.

"These masterplans are being done to show how the beds will be allocated across Coral Bay," Mr Nunn said. He said new power and water supplies for Coral Bay were expected to be operational by mid-2007.

Mr Monck, whose family has owned the People's Park since 1973, said the sustainability office had given local landowners direction and certainty with their planning guidelines. He hoped to start stage one of the park's redevelopment when the adjoining Ningaloo Reef Resort, which is being transformed into the Ningaloo Hilton, closes.

The development plan is still to be granted formal approval by the NSDO and the Carnarvon Shire Council.

This is what the silos might look like if everything goes to plan

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/9004/silo10ay.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/5862/26610silos3stg27ue.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Looks excellent!

Bunbury entertainment gets a boost

Plans for a new theatre and the Bunbury show are among 18 proposals this year to win Regional Development Scheme funding allocated by the Carpenter Government to the South West Development Commission.

South-West Minister Norm Marlborough today presented the Bunbury Entertainment Centre with a cheque worth $11,000 for a feasibility study looking into creating a 'small theatre' suitable for more intimate productions.

"Bunbury has grown enormously since the Entertainment Centre was built in 1991 in terms of population, but also in terms of its sophistication and the broad range of audience interests," Mr Marlborough said.

"As the focal point for performing arts in the South-West, it is imperative the venue meets the demands for affordable community productions, contemporary and children's theatre."

The Bunbury Agricultural Society was also given money from the scheme to assist with the running of the 2006 Bunbury Show.

The show has been a major annual event for more than 50 years, and its return last year to the Bunbury Recreation Ground, fronting the back beach, was a resounding success.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to provide assistance to these valuable community projects," Mr Marlborough said.

"Embracing cultural diversity and responding to the needs of a rapidly developing region are a reflection of the Carpenter Government's commitment to the South-West."