Beach name change back on

Bunbury City Council is asking the community if it wants to rename Back Beach as it pushes ahead with plans to boost tourism in the area.

The council last week rezoned a stretch of land on Ocean Drive to allow more flexible short and long-stay developments.

The approval is tipped to encourage more developers to build, activating prime ocean-front land which has remained vacant.

The council has now asked for feedback from the community about changing the name of Back beach.

In 2012 public submissions to the council suggested potential new names such as Bunbury Beach, Forrest Foreshore, Ocean Beach, Bunbury Sunset Beach, Indiana Promenade, Sea Scape or Water’s Edge.

The council wants to know if it needs a name change to reflect its potential and new direction or remain the same, as a nod to the past.

Previous suggestions also included Bunbury Sunset Strip, Back Beach Promenade, Back Beach Esplanade, Bayview, Ocean Park, Ocean Side and Esplanade Views.

Plans for the area, stretching along Ocean Drive from the Lighthouse Beach Resort to Bunbury Seaview Apartments, include motels, hotels, public open space and residential accommodation.

The plans will guide the development of the area gearing it towards tourism-based activities.

After approving the Ocean Drive rezoning last week, Mayor Gary Brennan said the council plans for the area were intended to facilitate the development of a vibrant, mixed-use activity node.

The council wants to hear your thoughts and take this survey www.surveymonkey.com/s/HNDM7KN