Council considers carpark land for hotel

Bunbury City Council wants to lure a hotel developer to build in the heart of the city centre on a prime piece of land overlooking Leschenault Inlet.

But one South West politician is concerned that the community could lose the popular and well-used carpark next to Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.The council is evaluating a plan to put the land - worth about $5 million - on the market as one of four blocks across Bunbury being considered for sale.

The 250-bay carpark owned by the council is used by patrons of the entertainment centre and Grand Cinemas and is one of the main visitor parking areas in Bunbury.

But the council wants to sell part of the carpark for a commercial project - which could be linked to the entertainment centre and allow for both accommodation and shopping developments.

"There is potential for a multi-storey building and as the area is within the city centre, the uses are very flexible," chief executive officer Andrew Brien said.

"However, it is considered most appropriate for development of a hotel to complement the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, along with other associated uses such as retail, commercial and community."

In a report to the council, major projects officer Felicity Anderson said the land sale could encourage development and stimulate economic growth in Bunbury.

"The site is a prime location within the CBD and the Leschenault Inlet and provides a unique opportunity to develop quality accommodation and mixed-use opportunities linked to the entertainment centre," she said.

"This could provide further opportunities for the holding of major conferences and events through the integration of the development potential of the site."

But South West MLC Adele Farina claimed the land sale could be the "death knell" of Bunbury's central business district and said it "defies belief" that the council would consider the proposal.

Ms Farina said the carpark was popular with shoppers and patrons of the expanded Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre and Grand Cinemas.

"The city (council) should be supporting CBD businesses by making the CBD an attractive and accessible place to shop and visit - well-situated carparks are critical to attracting shoppers to the CBD."

Mr Brien said the parking issue would be considered but no detailed plan had been completed because councillors had not made a decision on the proposed land sale.

The proposal could be discussed at tonight's briefing session ahead of next week's general meeting.