Delay for CBD boost

Plans for a major overhaul to Bunbury’s central business district have been delayed for three months.

The City of Bunbury draft Bunbury City Centre Action Plan 2020, touted as a way to bring life back to the CBD, was put to the council on Tuesday night for final approval.

The plan includes more colour, greenery, improved lighting, improved pedestrian access and improved road designs.

But a motion put forward by Cr Cheryl Kozisek to defer the half a million dollar plan to next year for more consultation was passed five votes to four.

Councillors unanimously voted to note the contents of the plan but deferred three items including noting the budget for the lighting, greening and detailed road design project.

Cr Kozisek said she wanted to defer a decision until after the City of Bunbury held its Business Street Meet on December 4.

City of Bunbury chief executive officer Mal Osborne is set to give a brief update about the plans at the event.

Cr Kozisek said businesspeople deserved the chance to provide feedback on the plans.

During the meeting, Cr Kozisek said the deferral would give councillors a chance to “get a feel” of what people thought about the plans.

“They are fantastic, but I’m concerned we really haven’t had enough consultation on this process,” she said.

Mr Osborne responded that there had been “a lot of consultation” on the plans.

“One of the key issues out of the action plan was to actually implement the decisions in this financial year,” he said.

With one meeting left this year the items were deferred until January next year for more consultation and discussion.

The city engaged with almost 2000 people during the consultation process through events, workshops and an online community engagement platform.

Yesterday, Mayor Gary Brennan, who was not present during the discussion during the meeting due to a conflict of interest, said the deferral meant the project would be delayed for three months.

“The deferral on starting the investment means a three month delay in further improvements to our CBD being made particularly with lighting and landscaping, however that is council’s prerogative,” he said.

“I am keen to see continuation of the momentum of improvements to our CBD … the public may be focussed on other matters during our fast approaching festive season.”