The Stirling Shopping Centre could be receiving a major overhaul with Primewest putting a proposal forward for it to become a four storey office space.
The City of Bunbury received the development application this month and is open for public comment until March 11, 2021.
The new building proposes to be 4,500 square metres of office space and 153 at-ground level parking bays.
The proposal includes variations to the requirements of the City of Bunbury Local Planning Scheme No. 8 and the City's Local Planning Policy frameworks.
Planning Solutions, who have submitted the application on behalf of Primewest have confirmed that previous redevelopment plans for Centrepoint/Stirling would not be progressed.
The previous proposal was for the two buildings to be consolidated into one larger retail precinct.
However it was never enacted due to the onset of COVID-19 and the changing market demand factors.
The new development application will see bike storage for 29 bicycles as well as end of trip facilities, a pedestrian plaza located at the entrance, 114 car bays in the south eastern portion of the site and 48 bays in the modified northern car park area.
The proponent has also allocated a turfed area, south of the new building which is set for future development.
Planning Solutions has outlined in the application that it is 'an exciting development which will modernise and activate the CBD' and it would contribute to employment density and variety.
It proposed that the office building could employ up to 250 people.
The proponent has taken the heritage listed Bunbury Women's Club building into account with its design and stated in the application 'the upper level setbacks allow the building to enhance sightlines towards the Bunbury Women's Club.
Impacts of the building are further minimised through the reduction in boundary wall height, the application states.
People can lodge a submission by emailing records@bunbury.wa.gov.au or in person at 4 Stephen Street.
For further information, please call Anthony Pick, Senior Planning Officer, (08) 9792 7063.
Have your say, what do you think about a four storey office development in the CBD? email editor@bunburymail.com.au