Council will vote on new project plans

An ocean pool, upgrades to Boulters Heights, sewage dump points for RVs and a “street-sleeper shelter” are among projects that have been put forward for funding in Bunbury.

Bunbury City Council will next week vote on several projects to be considered in its 15-year Integrated Financial Plan.

The projects have been suggested by councillors with chief executive Mal Osborne putting forward his recommendations for the council to either support, investigate further or knock back.

An ocean pool at Bunbury’s Back Beach is not a new suggestion but it follows a fresh push from Cr Todd Brown as revealed in the South Western Times earlier this month.

Cr Brown along with two local businesses launched an online campaign, which included impressive concept designs of an ocean pool at Wyalup - Rocky Point.

Next week it will be recommended that the council list the project for a possible business case and feasibility study.

Mayor Gary Brennan said the project needed a lot of community consultation but the concept was a good start.

“I won’t speculate on what may or may not get up but that concept is a very interesting one,” Mr Brennan said.

“I’m very open towards it, I think it is something we can look at however the city council will make a call on that next week.”

The renewed call for upgrades at Boulters Heights has also been recommended for a business case, while on the back of bringing in free overnight rest areas in the city a suggestion for sewage dump points has also been put forward.

It will be recommended that the council further investigate suitable sites for any dump points.

It has also been recommended that council refer a proposal for a street-sleeper shelter for the homeless to the “responsible” agencies.

Mr Brennan revealed that project was his idea after discussions with the homeless community.

“We’ve had a couple discussions with the street sleepers and it seems to us that they do want to stay sleeping on the streets,” he said.

“We think that that’s probably not a bad solution and it’s a solution that the street sleepers have come up with to me.

“That’ll be an interesting discussion next week.”