It follows the council’s decision not to support LandCorp’s proposal after it supported community outcry over the level of development of the Leschenault foreshore.

Immediately after the discussions council will hold a special meeting to resolve two high-level issues in what will be a big start to a significant year.

Mayor David Smith said the waterfront was the most important issue for Bunbury’s future and he hoped to have a balanced hearing with the minister.

“I think it will be more of an information exchange so we can state our position and he can state his position,” Mayor Smith said.

“I’ve found the minister very positive and a good listener so far - and he obviously has the interest of regional WA at his heart.”

There is $47 million of investment in the current State budget to begin the project which was designed to be cost neutral.

There has been some debate about what the government will do if it cannot recoup its investment and if any extra funding would be made available.

Bunbury MLA John Castrilli and South West Development Commission executive Don Punch have been invited to the meeting.

The minister will meet separately with the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and industries.

Chamber president David Kerr said the current plans did need an adjustment and he would seek assurances of the Government’s commitment to the project.

Councillor Brendan Kelly said he looked forward to the meeting and had the view that the waterfront would go ahead in some form.

Cr Kelly said the Bunbury economy was well placed to “thrive” even if the project did not begin this year.

The meeting with the minister will be followed by a special meeting of council to determine the future of the Withers underground power project and a lease agreement for the Bunbury library data centre.

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“They are two things we’ve put a lot of work into in the past 12 month so hopefully the results will be favourable,” Mayor Smith said.

Council will receive the results from the re-survey of Withers, Usher and Glen Padden homeowners at the meeting.

Council originally voted six votes to three in May to commit home owners to the project before the Office of Energy directed the re-survey in October.

Mayor Smith said he was not confident about residents supporting the project.

“The no holds barred and no expense spared campaign by opponents would’ve had an impact,” he said.

“Although the early returns were for the yes vote I think there would have been an impact towards the end.”

If the survey shows that residents are prepared to pay for underground power the final decision will rest with the Minister for Energy Peter Collier.

The City had continued to negotiate with the Australian Centre for Digital Innovation after it was announced in early November that there was an impasse on the lease agreement.

The mayor had raised concerns about the city being liable for untold amounts in maintenance fees over the 20 year lease.

Mayor Smith said the City would still be responsible for maintenance but negotiations had produced a better position after an agreement was reached on the cost of the ACDI managing six information storage racks.

“I’m happy with the package and the question now is whether council will be happy,” Mayor Smith said.