Bunbury (The South West Region): 51 Estates [Apr 2024]

The South West Region of Western Australia is situated approximately 175 kilometres south of Perth and has a population of approximately 359,165. Bunbury is the third-largest city in Western Australia, with a population of 181,000. The region's total area covers around 9,266 square kilometres and falls under the jurisdiction of the Bunbury Council.

The south west region contains 12 local government areas, of which 2 area regional centres and 3 sub-regional centres. The region contains smaller towns, large parks, hospital, hotels, commercial and industrial areas, residential areas, shopping centres, art galleries, museums, TAFE, Rural Clinical, beaches, wineries, national parks and 104 schools. The region includes a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, retail, and services.

The South West Region of Western Australia is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the west, the Peel region to the north, the Wheatbelt region to the east, and the Great Southern region to the southeast. The coastline of the region stretches approximately 1,300 km and includes popular destinations such as Margaret River, Busselton, Dunsborough, and Augusta.

The South West Region of WA is traversed by several main roads, including:

• South Western Highway: runs north-south through the region, connecting Perth to Bunbury 
• Bussell Highway: runs parallel to the coast, connecting Busselton to Margaret River
• Forrest Highway: runs through the western part of the region, connecting Perth to Bunbury 
• Vasse Highway: runs through the region, connecting Busselton to Nannup
• Brockman Highway: connects Margaret River to Pemberton
• Albany Highway: runs through the eastern edge of the region, connecting Perth to Albany

Other important roads in the region include:

• Caves Road: runs parallel to Bussell Highway, connecting Dunsborough to Augusta 
• Bussell Highway Bypass: diverts heavy traffic around the town of Busselton.
• Goodwood Road: connects Bussell Highway to the coast at Bunker Bay.
• Sues Road: connects Vasse Highway to the coast at Prevelly.
• Metricup Road: connects Bussell Highway to the wineries and local tourist attractions 
• Tom Cullity Drive: a scenic drive passing through vineyards and forests 
• Brockman Highway Tourist Drive: a scenic drive through the southern forests and mountains

South West Regional Planning

The South West Region of Western Australia is the most populous and the fastest growing outside the Perth and Peel regions. The population is forecast to grow to approximately 230,000 by 2026 and has one of the fastest growth rates within Australia.

The Western Australian government considers there to be three sub-regions:

• Bunbury-Geographe:  City of Bunbury and Shires of Capel, Collie, Dardanup, Donnybrook-Balingup and Harvey
• Leeuwin-Naturaliste (Capes Region):  City of Busselton and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River
• Warren-Blackwood:  Shires of Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Manjimup and Nannup.

Bunbury-Geographe Sub-Region Strategy 2022

The Bunbury-Geographe sub-region has made significant progress towards realizing its substantial potential over the last few decades, due to the strategic location, abundant natural resources, and diverse economy. The development of new urban areas, such as Dalyellup, Glen Iris, and Treendale, around the largest centre of Bunbury, has driven population and economic growth to a metropolitan level. The Strategy recognizes this and identifies the Bunbury Metropolitan Area as the contiguous built-up area that spans the City of Bunbury and neighbouring localities in the Shires of Capel, Dardanup, and Harvey.

The Bunbury Metropolitan Area is a key driver of development within the sub-region, serving as a commercial, administrative, and employment hub for the wider South West region. As the population grows towards 200,000 and beyond, the importance of the Bunbury Metropolitan Area as Western Australia's second city will continue to increase and the sub-regional centre of Collie transitions to a more sustainable economy with a broader range of industries. The Strategy supports investment and initiatives to assist Collie with this economic transition.

Leeuwin-Naturaliste Sub-Region Strategy 2019

The Leeuwin-Naturaliste Sub-regional Strategy is a comprehensive strategic document that outlines the Western Australian Planning Commission's (WAPC) approach to land use planning and development within the City of Busselton and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River for the next two decades. The purpose of this strategy is to provide guidance to local governments in implementing state strategic priorities, as well as to inform local planning strategies and schemes, in order to make robust planning decisions.

The Strategy addresses the challenge of accommodating population and visitor growth by utilizing a combination of urban infill, already-planned greenfield development, and potential new expansion areas. It identifies several Planning Investigation Areas throughout the sub-region that will require detailed investigation by the WAPC to determine their suitability for a potential change of use.

One of the key challenges that the Strategy addresses is finding a balance between the demands of a growing population and economy, conservation values, such as retaining ecological corridors and linkages, and the challenges of climate change, namely bushfire risk and changing coastal processes.

Warren-Blackwood Rural Strategy 2004

The purpose of this strategy is to provide a planning framework that addresses issues related to rural land use, land management, agricultural productivity, environmental protection, and resource rehabilitation. These issues were not resolved in the regional planning strategy. The Warren-Blackwood Region is considered the most agriculturally rich region in the State, with significant potential for further development.

There are various landcare issues that need to be addressed, given the region's diverse economic base. The strategy outlines the government's broad planning policies and strategies for the region, and serves as a framework for the local governments' planning strategies in the study area. The local planning strategies were prepared concurrently with this strategy, in close partnership with the four shires.

South West Regional Blueprint
The South West Regional Blueprint was published in December 2014 as a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines the long-term vision, goals, and strategies for the sustainable development of the South West region of Western Australia. The Blueprint was developed by the South West Development Commission (SWDC) in collaboration with the local governments, community groups, businesses, and other stakeholders in the region.

The Blueprint aims to guide the economic, social, and environmental development of the region by identifying key areas of opportunity and outlining strategies to address challenges and leverage opportunities. It focuses on six key themes:

1. Economic Development and Jobs: The Blueprint aims to support the growth of existing industries and identify new opportunities for investment and job creation. It also aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
2. Infrastructure and Services: The Blueprint recognizes the need for high-quality infrastructure and services to support the region's growth and development. It identifies priorities for investment in areas such as transport, health, education, and digital infrastructure.
3. Environment and Heritage: The Blueprint aims to protect and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the region, while also promoting sustainable development practices that minimize environmental impacts.
4. Community and Social Wellbeing: The Blueprint recognizes the importance of strong and connected communities to the social and economic wellbeing of the region. It aims to promote social inclusion and address issues such as health, education, and housing.
5. Tourism and Marketing: The Blueprint recognizes the potential of tourism as a key economic driver for the region. It aims to promote the region's unique natural and cultural attractions and improve the visitor experience.
6. Governance and Collaboration: The Blueprint recognizes the importance of effective governance and collaboration among stakeholders to achieve the region's development goals. It identifies strategies to improve coordination and collaboration among government, business, and community stakeholders.

South West - Regional Planning and Infrastructure Framework

The WAPC, in partnership with Regional Development Commissions, Regional Development Australia and local governments has prepared regional planning and infrastructure frameworks for the State’s eight country planning regions, including the South West. In December 2015, the South West regional planning and infrastructure framework was published, providing an overall strategic context for land-use planning in the South West.

The aim of the South West Regional Planning Framework aims to create a prosperous and resilient region that can support a high quality of life for its residents, future growth, while also contributing to the wider economic development of Western Australia.

Some of the key projects identified include the development of a new port at Bunbury, the expansion of the tourism industry, the promotion of renewable energy, and the improvement of regional transport infrastructure. Additionally, the framework prioritizes the protection and preservation of the region's unique natural and cultural assets, including its national parks, wildlife, and Indigenous heritage.

The South West Regional Planning Framework seeks to balance economic development with environmental and social considerations, and to ensure that growth is managed in a way that is sustainable and integrated with existing communities. Five growth areas within the region, including:

• Greater Bunbury: This area is expected to experience significant growth, with a projected population increase of over 50% by 2050. The framework emphasizes the need for strategic planning to manage this growth and ensure that new development is sustainable and integrated with existing communities.
• Busselton-Margaret River: This area is also expected to experience significant growth, particularly in the tourism and retirement sectors. The framework emphasizes the need to balance economic development with environmental and social considerations.
• Collie-Preston: This area has historically been dependent on the coal industry, but the framework identifies opportunities for diversification and economic growth in other sectors, such as renewable energy and tourism.
• Harvey-Shire of Capel: This area has a diverse economy, with agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism all playing important roles. The framework emphasizes the need to support continued economic growth while protecting the region's natural assets.
• Augusta-Margaret River: This area is known for its natural beauty and tourism industry, and the framework emphasizes the need to protect the region's environmental values while supporting sustainable economic growth.

South West Region Summary