The City of Bunbury has approved a draft Racecourses Local Area Plan, a Local Planning Strategy amendment, and a Racecourses Structure Plan for the Bunbury racecourses precinct.
Located in Carey Park, the racecourses precinct is bound by the Bunbury Turf Club, Bunbury Trotting Club, Nuytsia Avenue, and Brittain Road.
The new Local Area Plan will allow interested landowners to subdivide land and provide further residential development opportunities.
The plan will also allow for higher density residential developments along with the retention of race and training tracks in the area.
The plan sets out a 20-year vision for the precinct and provides the desired environmental and development outcomes for the local horse racing industry.
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the documents marked the end of a four-year local planning project designed to engage residents, key stakeholders, turf club representatives, and trotting club representatives in the design process.
"Council and city staff have worked hard on this project and invested their time in engaging with the community to reach the best outcome for the racecourses precinct," he said.
"I am confident this Local Area Plan will provide fantastic opportunities for landowners within the racecourse area while also allowing those who participate in horse activities to continue to do so.
"There is plenty of opportunity for this area to be improved and I look forward to seeing this under-utilised area of Carey Park reaching its potential.
"I congratulate and thank all community members, stakeholders and city and council staff for being involved in this positive process."
The new Local Planning Strategy amendment and Racecourses Structure Plan will be submitted to the Western Australian Planning Commission for review and determination.
