Published on Friday, 23 October 2020 at 10:58:00 AM
The City of Busselton is seeking public input on proposed changes to the permissibility of land uses in various zones within the Local Planning Scheme. Members of the public can review the proposed Scheme amendment and make a submission via Your Say Busselton before 18 November 2020.
Among other proposed changes, the Amendment seeks to protect the viability of Busselton and Dunsborough City Centres by minimising the loss of retail activity from these zones. The intention is to consolidate core retail activity within the City’s main retail areas to encourage activation.
The proposed changes align with the Local Planning Strategy 2019 which sets the long-term strategic direction of the district. They also address the findings of a recent commercial analysis for Busselton which found that the decentralisation of retail shops outside the City Centre was negatively impacting CBD businesses. Two clear recommendations of the analysis were:
• to support the City Centre as the highest order retail, entertainment, leisure and commercial precinct; and
• to include criteria within the Busselton Local Planning Scheme to lessen the leakage of shop retail from the City Centre.
City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said: “Preventing retail leakage from the City Centre will encourage greater linkage between the City Centres and Foreshore areas and further support the tourism industry, which injects millions of dollars into the local economy each year. The intention is to create a fully-connected, integrated and walkable commercial environment that stimulates investment and supports local businesses.”
The Amendment would see these uses not-permissible within Service Commercial and Light Industrial zones, as they encourage pedestrian foot-traffic and associated spending when located nearby to shopping businesses. They include:
• Cinema/Theatre
• Exhibition Centre
• Hotel
• Restaurant/Café
• Small Bar
• Tavern
• Brewery/Winery
The Scheme Amendment also applies to land uses in Rural, Rural Residential, Viticulture & Tourism and Rural Landscape zones. View the Amendment here https://yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/amd21-0040 and have your say. Submissions are open until 18 November 2020.
Objectives outlined in this statement are aligned with Key Goal Area 2 in the City of Busselton’s Strategic Community Plan (Review 2019): Places and Spaces that are vibrant, attractive and affordable.
Media enquiries can be directed to meredith.dixon@busselton.wa.gov.au
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