New additions and extensions to the Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre premises may soon be on the horizon.
The City of Bunbury is seeking public comment on the centre’s proposed redevelopments, set to be examined by the Southern Joint Development Assessment Panel.
The plans will see 9400sq-m of the existing site demolished to make way for a gross leasable area of 29,989sq-m.
The centre’s existing global lease area currently covers 21,001sq-m.
Changes to the precinct will include new Woolworths and Woolworths Liquor outlets, two new mini major outlets, a medical centre/gym, and a 1100-seat cinema complex.
The centre’s parking areas will be changed around, making room for a new car parking deck.
The existing McDonalds outlet, close to the Caltex Petrol Station and Pennant Road, will be relocated.
The owners have continually upgraded the forum and have made it attractive. This next significant investment will make for a further advancement of that shopping centre.
- City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan
A Challenger spokesperson said the changes would provide Bunbury with an exciting, uplifting shopping facility.
“Our proposed development of the Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre will reinvigorate the centre and offer customers more choice and amenities,” they said.
“If approved, this will be a significant development for the city, creating employment opportunities during construction and beyond.
“With the development application yet to be approved by the Southern Joint Development Assessment Panel, we are unable to make further comments on specific stores opening at this stage.”
City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan was confident the proposed changes would help to revitalise the area.
“I think the plans have slightly changed over the past few years, there are some changes in the current plan, and I think the estimated capital expend is about $10 million or more,” he said.
“The Bunbury Forum Shopping Centre has been very popular for Bunbury and the South West.
“The owners have continually upgraded the forum and have made it attractive.
“This next significant investment will make for a further advancement of that shopping centre.”
Mr Brennan was certain the changes would not affect businesses or visitor numbers in the CBD.
“The population of the Bunbury-Geographe area is now around 90,000,” he said.
“The market determines when and where shopping centres will be built and when they will change, we’ve seen a fair bit of that in Bunbury.
“Our visitation to Bunbury has significantly increased over the past couple of years.
“Anything that attracts more people to Bunbury will provide spin-off benefits for the CBD and other places, so I don’t see the new changes as being detrimental.”
The city has provided funds for redevelopments to Sandridge Road and surrounding areas over the past three years.
The public comment period will close on Friday, October 26.
Read more:
