OUR COMMUNITY'S VISION

The Community’s vision for the City of Bunbury is a place with a vibrant city centre that is safe, green, easy to get around and has a variety of offerings to attract people. It will be a City that has protected natural spaces with strong economic growth. They feel that Bunbury’s natural assets, strategic location and desirable lifestyle will help contribute to this vision for the future.

WHAT OUR COMMUNITY LOVES 

• Beaches, waterways and natural environment: Respondents have a great appreciation for the City’s diverse natural assets and easy access to its beaches, estuary, bushland, parks and wildlife. They also noted the relaxed lifestyle this environment offers.
• Availability of urban amenities: Respondents enjoy the availability of, and easy access to, local services and amenities such as sports facilities, shopping, dining and recreation spaces. They noted the ease of living in and navigating the City, without the traffic and other challenges experienced in larger cities.
• Location and proximity: Respondents love the strategic location of the City, being conveniently close to Perth and serving as a gateway to the wider south west region. 

‘It's large enough to have a full range of services but small enough to get around them all without long journeys. It's coast and waterways are fantastic.’

WHAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS ON

In order to achieve this vision, the community identified the following priorities for the City:

• Addressing housing and homelessness: People want to see more availability of affordable housing options, including provision of aged care accommodation, and effective solutions to support people experiencing homelessness in the community.
• Activating the city centre: People want to see revitalised and activated spaces in and around the CBD, with the improvement of shopping precincts, improved greening and landscapes, and the provision of events and attractions for locals and visitors, at places such as Koombana Bay.
• Improving community infrastructure and programs: There is a desire for more inclusive and accessible community activities, social events and recreational facilities for diverse ages. The importance of maintaining and improving public infrastructure such as enhancing the foreshore, improved lighting at facilities, increased provision of parks and playgrounds, and better maintained footpaths was also highlighted.
• Protecting and enhancing the natural environment: People expressed the need for more trees around buildings and beach areas, improved landscaping and green spaces in the CBD and within the suburbs, and the ongoing protection of the City’s natural assets. Addressing sustainability through improving recycling and adopting sustainable energy practices was also highlighted.
• Improving transport and connectivity: People identified the need for better public transport into town, including improved bus routes in and around town, as well as improving walking and cycling paths. Creating better connections between the beach, CBD and Koombana Bay was also suggested.
• Economic development and tourism:  There is a desire for more diverse businesses to be attracted to the CBD, with more attractions for visitors such as significant events, and improving promotion of what Bunbury has to offer. Better local provision of education and job opportunities is also a priority.

Community feedback across all engagement activities was very positive, with people expressing a strong appreciation for their local area and the initiatives being delivered by the City of Bunbury.

The community highly values the City’s natural environment, strategic location in Western Australia's South West, and the lifestyle this offers. Feedback highlights the community’s priorities for the future, to enhance the City’s liveability and establishment as a strong regional hub.