Key tourism funding pledge for Bunbury

Under a Labor Government the Bunbury CBD would be developed as a prime attraction for tourists in an effort to boost the economy and create jobs.

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan announced in Bunbury today he would introduce an events and marketing coordinator for the Bunbury CBD who would be placed at the Bunbury-Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industries to make it a cruise ship destination.

“I want to make sure that tourism continues to be an important part of Bunbury’s economic future and jobs,” he said.

“It’s imperative that we promote the Bunbury CBD, attract more cruise ships, promote business development and get more tourists from Perth and beyond down to Bunbury.

“Part of making sure this happens is the creation of a marketing and coordinator position which WA Labor supports.”

The plan is part of WA Labor’s $425 million play to grow the State’s tourism industry.

Labor candidate for Bunbury Don Punch said the CBD was the “heart of Bunbury”.

“Through this position we want to help people rediscover the Bunbury CBD,” he said.

“We want to help support these small businesses who have been doing it tough, create new opportunities and see employment flow through as a consequence.

“Bunbury is a fantastic tourism opportunity it just needs the right kind of strategy and investment to really make it fire up.”

Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries president David Kerr said it would be a wonderful opportunity to advance what they had been talking about for a long time.

“A number of years ago we had a project which was initiated with the City of Bunbury called city heart and we identified the key for the CBD as a component of our broader economy is to make sure that it became a vibrant centre,” he said.

“One of the things we have also lacked is the resources to be able to drive that agenda, so a funding program like this will certainly give us those resources and we talk about it as a place making opportunity.”