A major redevelopment of the Plaza Shopping Centre will advance to the next stage of planning after Bunbury City Council last night voted to rezone land associated with the project.
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The shopping centre is expected to include a Woolworths supermarket and variety of small businesses, along with improved access and enhanced car parking.
The rezoning of lots on Prosser Street and Forrest Avenue from “residential” and “mixed business” to “shopping centre zone” was required to ensure the redevelopment could go ahead.
Mayor Gary Brennan said the redevelopment of this neighbourhood centre had significant economic and social benefits.
“Once completed, the Plaza Shopping Centre will anchor one end of Forrest Avenue in an area that is undergoing a transition from its traditional residential streetscape,” Mr Brennan said.
“This is highlighted by the approval last night to rezone five lots of land on Forrest Avenue, which are just 150 metres from the Plaza, to residential mixed use to allow for greater flexibility in this important corridor between Blair Street and Spencer Street.”
Mr Brennan said the multi-million dollar development of the Plaza was just one of many significant projects the City was currently assessing.
Owners of the Bunbury Forum have recently lodged a development application for a $58 million upgrade of the shopping centre, and the City is also working towards the approval of a six-storey mixed use development at Koombana North.
“I am also excited to see the owners of the Ocean Drive Motel planning more short-stay accommodation in what is a strategic tourism corridor,” Mr Brennan said.
Council last night agreed to amend the zoning of the motel land and a lot adjoining it to allow for a redevelopment into contemporary short-stay accommodation facing the beach.
“A development such as this will help to reinvigorate tourism along Ocean Drive and when coupled with the other significant applications before council, it shows Bunbury is moving ahead and there is a real positivity surrounding the city,” Mr Brennan said.
