A new purpose-built depot is well and truly in the works after Bunbury City Council appointed a successful tenderer to carry out construction in a meeting on Tuesday night.
It is anticipated that city staff will move into the new depot, which will be built on a five hectare site in Picton, next year.
The City purchased the Picton land in 2016 for $2.4 million, with the depot’s construction cost is still to be finalised. However, the City has allocated up to $5 million in loan borrowings plus funds in associated council reserves to pay for the depot.
The City plans to develop three hectares of the Picton site for the depot with the remaining two being earmarked for future use still to be determined by Council.
The new depot, to be constructed by Civilcon, will replace the 40-year-old facility in Carey Park and the Waste department site in Halifax.
Relocating the depot will allow the current Carey Park site on Nuytsia Avenue to be rezoned for housing, which is currently under way as part of the Racecourses Local Area Plan. The City will also begin the process to dispose of the waste site on McCombe Road.
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the construction of a new depot was a significant step forward for the City’s workforce.
“Council is keen to get our workers into a more modern depot as the current site is showing its age,” Mr Brennan said.
“We need to provide the best facilities for our employees to ensure they can continue to carry out their jobs effectively and efficiently.”