Business View Oceania | March 2020

31 32 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA MARCH 2020 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA MARCH 2020 BVO: Are there revitalisation plans for your central business district? Barbour: “We have a Central Business District Action Plan which is about revitalising our CBD through activation, encouraging development and looking at incentives for developers, among other things. There are some building vacancies, mainly in the retail space, because retail has struggled the world over to compete with the online marketplace. So we’ve got a couple of trials underway through a local commercial real estate company, where they’re offering space for pop-up businesses. It’s a way to get low cost entry into leasing a building to start up a business and if it’s successful to make it into a more regular lease arrangement. “Our other focus is trying to boost the population close to the CBD. In comparison to international cities, we are a relatively low density city. And our best opportunity is encouraging redevelopment for mixed-use types of development and increasing population in close proximity to the CBD to get more activity into that space. We have a very strong, diverse food and beverage presence here, thanks to the natural environment. Three frontages of our city face water, so it’s very attractive and draws people from a broad area to come in and experience the dining and beverage scene.” Mayor Brennan: “The Bunbury Regional Art Gallery services the whole southwest region, and we have a wealth of very creative people in our community. Five years ago, we had a young artist named Andrew Fraser who initiated street art through murals and he attracted a number of well-known mural artists from around Australia to come here and do paintings on blank walls throughout our CBD. We’re building on that artistic creativity and also looking at creativity from a technical point. We have a very fast and powerful internet conduit between Perth and Bunbury and we’re going to be talking to government about duplicating that into the The leading civil construction, maintenance and earthworks company in the South West of Western Australia. With a highly regarded team of industry-leading specialists and professionals across a range of disciplines who are experienced in delivering innovative solutions for clients across the industrial, commercial and government sectors. Projects are carried out using the latest technology plant and equipment and delivered safely, on time and on budget. The company has an enviable safety record throughout the operation’s history as a result of long-standing rigorous compliance, safety and environmental systems which are an integral part of the company culture. www.geographecivil.com.au TO CONTACT OUR TEAM: (08) 9725 7077 admin@geographecivil.com.au C I TY OF BUNBURY , WESTERN AUSTRAL I A