City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan has hit back at claims the Bunbury the Outer Ring Road would help strengthen Bunbury’s position as an industrial hub.
The long awaited project has continued to attract concern with the most current criticism coming from prominent Bunbury leaders.
The concerns follow a presentation made by the BORR team at a Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry business breakfast last week.
During the presentation BORR project director Dominic Boyle spoke of the benefits of the project including strengthening Bunbury’s position as an industrial hub for the South West and creating an easy journey for tourists traveling to Margaret River.
The team also outlined the four interchanges with the BORR starting at Paris Road, with exits at Raymond Road, South Western Highway (North), Waterloo (not confirmed), Hasties/Centenary Road and then finishing at Bussell Highway.
Main Roads services delivery manager Padraic Murphy said the aim of an interchange at Waterloo would help activate the industrial area. Mr Brennan said Mr Boyle calling Bunbury an industrial hub was an ‘uninformed unfortunate comment’.
“We are not an industrial hub, we have the outer harbour, the outer ring road is designed to move the heavy traffic away from Bunbury and then when they do come into the port they’ve got Willinge Drive,” he said.
“For him to say it will improve Bunbury as an industrial hub, that is not what we are – the industry is at the port, out at Picton, at Kemerton, there is no industry in Bunbury.”
Mr Brennan said the City was also concerned with the northern entrance design.
“I support it, there is no question that the Bunbury Outer Ring Road is required, but we must protect the primacy of Bunbury as a destination, that is our big concern,” he said.
“An informal presentation was given to the council last Tuesday and that was the first time we saw the road designs and we are not happy.
“We’ll be having a robust discussion with Main Roads about that.”
Bunbury MLA Don Punch mirrored the Mayor’s concerns and said he would also be following up with Main Roads.
“I think there are better options to highlight Bunbury as a second city and to make it absolutely clear in terms of road design, signage and statement interpretation,” he said.
“I've always been clear from day one that whatever we do, we have to create Bunbury as a destination, so the road design needs to reflect that.”
Main Roads spokesperson Dean Roberts responded by saying Bunbury was an important destination in its own right.
