Residents feel shut out of urban renewal

Withers residents are concerned the pending Withers Urban Renewal Strategy will not adequately address the suburb’s problems because the community is being excluded from the decision-making process.

Withers Action Group convener Glen Willetts said the community consultation process had been “secretive’’ and the community had not been represented on the management committee despite earlier guarantees.

His main concern was the community would not get to see the draft report before it was approved by the South West Development Commission or the City of Bunbury.

“They should publish the draft report so we can have input,” he said.

“We want to see all of our concerns have been addressed.’’

South West Development Commission director Don Punch said there would be a feedback process for the report.

“Once the SWDC receives a final report it will be submitted to the Board of the SWDC and to council,’’ Mr Punch said.

“Once approved for release by both bodies, it will be made available to the community.’’

Mr Punch said approval for the report did not mean its recommendations were accepted by SWDC or the council.

He said the commission had received preliminary drafts of the report and was providing feedback to consultants.

City of Bunbury community and customer services director Stephanie Addison-Brown said the community would be notified when the plan was finalised and it would go before the council.

South West MLC Adele Farina said the project was falling short of community expectations.

“Their joy has very quickly turned to anger and frustration at their exclusion,’’ she said.