Bunbury Visitor Centre to move to Koombana Bay after escalating antisocial issues pose threat to staff

The Bunbury Visitor Centre will soon have a new home after a string of escalating antisocial issues which posed a threat to staff safety at the former location forced the City to move the facility.

The centre was located in the Old Bunbury railway station until recently when it was forced to be relocated to the City of Bunbury Administration building because of concerns surrounding staff safety.

Councillors voted at a meeting on August 16 to support the relocation of the centre to the Koombana Kiosk or within the vicinity of the Koombana Kiosk in a standalone facility.

During the meeting, Cr Betty McCleary and chief executive Mal Osborne referred to a “shocking confidential report” about the safety issues surrounding the previous centre which prompted the removal of the staff into a safer environment.

City documents stated staff had undertaken a “comprehensive” review of the Bunbury Visitor Information Centre and visitor servicing.

“Due to the escalating antisocial issues that posed a safety concern to staff and visitors in the vicinity of the Bunbury Visitor Information Centre, the review of visitor services also needed to include its location,” Council documents stated.

During the meeting, a number of councillors stated they wanted to see the visitor centre return to the previous location, but Mr Osbourne said he would not be sending staff back there unless something was done to ensure staff safety.

“Given the number of incidents that were unfortunately experienced at the old site, that prompted the removal of the staff into a safer environment, being the foyer (City of Bunbury Administration),” he said.

“That was always at that stage considered to be a temporary move.

“If council resolved to use the railway station, I would not be sending staff back there until such time as it is physically safe and staff feel mentally safe to participate and to work in that environment.”

The relocation was passed seven votes to five, with councillors Gabi Ghasseb, Cheryl Kozisek, Marina Quain, Michelle Steck and Karen Steele voting against the motion.

The council has now requested Mr Osbourne to prepare a further report identifying the preferred location within the Koombana Bay Precinct and the concepts of the proposed facility.

The City has also been instructed to provide annual reviews for years one and two of occupancy of the visitor centre at the Koombana Foreshore.