4.4 Transformative project highlights

The South West Waste Precinct has the potential to meet State and Federal policy expectations by rapidly heading towards zero waste to landfill while using ‘waste’ as a resource and boosting innovation, jobs and the economy. Developing a composting facility will cut landfill by 35,000tpa while a glass crusher would utilise every bottle reducing glass to sand for use in road building and additionally addressing a shortage of fill material.

Investment in a Materials Recovery Facility will produce a stream of sorted materials for recycling uses and will provide product for an innovation hub which is also proposed for the site. Interest exists in finding ways to commercially utilise mine tailings and ways to use plastics in a circular economy. Materials can be used in roadbuilding as first choice inputs that deliver valued characteristics such as reducing road noise (crumbed rubber) and creating reflective surfaces which reduce the need for lighting (crushed glass).

Settlement hierarchies underpin economic development, with the trend towards urban living relevant to regional centres. Weak regional centres lead to weak regions. Economic activity and liveability flow in waves from regional centres so it is important that the Bunbury-Busselton population axis stays strong and Manjimup anchors the Warren-Blackwood.

A drive to have Bunbury recognised as Western Australia’s second city is important in administration, education, healthcare, business and accompanying population and investment.

Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront will change perceptions; the development of Hands Oval will accommodate AFL and WAFL games; advanced manufacturing, port investment and digital will lay the foundations of a path to the future, combining work with R+D, skills training and industries where knowledge has the greatest value.

The South West Native Title Settlement will fundamentally change Aboriginal engagement and create unprecedented opportunities for South West Noongar people. Notwithstanding formalised approaches, it is important that the potential for Aboriginal advancement is fulfilled through acknowledgement of history and an understanding that, for traditional owners, booja is a complete ecosystem that includes family, society and relationships with the land, plants and animals.

Opportunities for recognition abound in signage, art, procurement and tourism. Shared learning and mutual respect will be a key.

Lifestyle is a key regional attractor. Prompted by the global pandemic, liveability and the concept of the 20-minute city is recognised as an important part of our lives. Liveability comes in many forms, from community art in streetscapes to quality sport and recreation opportunities and environmentally-sound investments such as trackless trams

Importantly, liveability means community safety, wellbeing, affordability, diversity and inclusion of everyone from the traditional custodians to our newest arrivals.

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Future opportunities must also lie in collaborative effort between industry and academia. The Regional Australia Institute notes the link between health training opportunities and proximity to hospitals in the regions. Points of difference in education offerings are also seen as an advantage in a sea of ‘sameness’. Expansion of services at the South West Health Campus provide opportunities tor the endogenous growth of the workforce.

The proposed suburb of Wanju is being planned to the North East of Bunbury. The development would be a leading edge new settlement encompassing best practice in water usage, waste, energy and walkability as well as environmentally advanced building solutions. Wanju will be the model for suburbs of the future and provide a mix of housing when existing developments achieve capacity.

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