An initiative by the City of Bunbury could yield major changes for Spencer Street and surrounding areas.
The proposed draft Local Planning Policy: Spencer Street Activity Corridor Design Guidelines was advertised for public comment between Tuesday, September 4 and Thursday, October 18.
As a result of submissions/comments received, multiple modifications were made to the proposed draft local planning policy.
Council discussed the executive recommendation on December 4, which asks council to adopt the modified proposed draft local planning policy.
It also calls for council to “advise the submitters of the council’s decision”.
City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said they were ready to begin the next stage of the project.
“The policy looks at having the four distinct areas of Spencer Street identified, as well as having design and development guidelines being drawn up for each of those four,” he said.
“It ranges from commercial developments at the northern end of Spencer St, to the Plaza Shopping Centre, the professional/medical services south of there, and the residential areas further down.
“The guidelines will help property owners and developers to develop those areas to their full potential, should they wish to.”
Mr Brennan said the plan could lead to greater residential and commercial developments in the area.
“With the City of Bunbury’s Local Planning Scheme no.8, we’ve incorporated new zones called ‘mixed-use’,” he said.
“We would love to see more of that happening between Forrest Avenue and Stirling Street, In particular.
“It lends itself to having retail and commercial on the ground floor, along with residential developments upstairs.”
Mr Brennan was adamant the city would continue to carry out infrastructure improvements along Spencer Street in the future.
The City of Bunbury council voted on the matter at its meeting on Tuesday, December 11.
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