DUNSBOROUGH
It’s YOUR town.
Have YOUR say!
This is a SHOUT OUT to Dunsborough locals, home owners and visitors to our unique, coastal holiday town.
Our town is under siege! Multi-storey apartment blocks on our fragile foreshore are being considered, plans to re-zone agricultural land to high-density housing estates are being planned and, ideals for maintaining Dunsborough as a ‘unique coastal town’ are being kicked to the kerb by the Development Assessment Panel and City of Busselton Planners.We are asking you to FIGHT for Dunsborough. It’s YOUR town, have YOUR say.
What we are about:
Dunsborough is home to 8,000 locals, but with one million visitors per year to the region, it’s also the holiday go to for West Aussies each year plus, Interstate and International travellers. So it’s time for ALL of us to use our collective voices and plan for a utopia of sorts; one that sees Dunsborough maintain its idyllic lifestyle for locals, and, holiday appeal for visitors alike.
We need a plan for growth that enables our town to protect its economic value as a tourist mecca that is sensitive to environmental needs, population growth and lifestyle. Sound like a tall order? Perhaps, but there’s not much more powerful than people united so read on below, to see how you can get on board and support this wonderful town!
The Population dilemma
The WAPC and COB Town Planners are planning more of this type of high-density, urban sprawl across Dunsborough
Dunsborough is currently going through some serious growing pains!
The town’s growth rate in 2020/21 is expected to exceed its normal growth rate of approximately 3% per annum due to an influx of ex-pats returning home from overseas, city folks opting for a ‘sea change’ and families who’ve had shifted down south (or across the country) to live in one of the safest COVID 19 places in the world. It’s meant a squeeze on the long-term rental market and driven house prices up. Combined with the number of residential homes being bought and flipped to short -term accommodation, the town is certainly overwhelmed by a rapid population increase in just 12 short (or long) months.
Now, imagine if you will then, another 7500 residents by 2030? That’s a growth rate of 100% in just 10 years.
The issue we face is the West Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is investigating potentially opening about 1,100 acres or 450 hectares for residential houses out past Simmos’ Ice-creamery and back towards Vasse. If we take the current density of people per household and place it over that area, it means roughly 7,500 people moving in by 2030.
In a nutshell folks, Dunsborough is facing a potential massive population explosion within 10 years and we feel, it ain’t what the locals or visitors to the region want, and certainly not conducive to our tourism industry let alone our precious and delicate environment.
We need therefore, to raise awareness of WAPC’s ‘investigation’ into this land release, and challenge the proposal through people power by raising up the masses and motivating our Councillors to represent our needs at the State level. You can easily get involved so please read on to see how.
2. Highrise on the foreshore
Gold Coast 2021 versus 1978. Locals and visitors of Dunsborough say ‘no thank you’ to high rise on our foreshore.
Dunsborough 2030 is currently engaged in legal proceedings on behalf of neighbours to the infamous proposed development of a four-storey apartment block on the corner of Geographe Bay road and Dunn Bay road on the Dunsborough foreshore.
A recent meeting by the Development Assessment Panel in February, passed the development despite significant community objection and a motion passed by the COB Council to reduce building heights along the same strip from four storeys, to three.
This decision shows that JDAP are completely out of touch with the community, as are City of Busselton Planners as they took absolutely no account that the proposed development was in a sensitive coastal environment that had been declared by the City to be appropriate only for two storey buildings.
We are therefor legally challenging the JDAP decision. The City of Busselton is obliged to comply with its town planning scheme and the State Coastal Planning Policy which clearly requires that the height of buildings facing the foreshore should be no more than two stories.
A recent decision in the Supreme Court (Jan 31st 2021) whereby a homeowner contested the proposed height of a neighbouring property at Yallingup was ruled in favour of upholding the State Coastal Planning Policy, that no building within 150m of the waterline, can be over 2 stories high and thus, we have State Coastal Policy and precedent on our side.
The decision of JDAP, if accepted, is a precedent that unless stopped, will change the character of the Dunsborough foreshore and the Dunsborough town centre forever because it is likely to be repeated over all the properties zoned R80 along Geographe Bay Road.
“This is a pivotal moment for the future of Dunsborough. I urge those who care about its character and environment, its lifestyle and community values to tell the planners that they are out of step with community opinion and that it’s time that they listened to the people about what they want for their town.”
- Peter Kyle. Chairman Dunsborough 2030
3. Where’s our school?
Locals have been lobbying for almost 25 years for a new school.
Over 25 years ago when Dunsborough Lakes was first proposed, the developers ear marked an area along Windlemere for a much-needed school as part of their obligation to adding amenities to the town and enriching the community. It has never eventuated and despite repeated lobbying by community members to the WA Education Department, the school is still not apparent.
There is currently an area earmarked and signposted ‘school coming soon’ but, history shows the area will be re-utilised for more high-density housing; it’s just a great sales tactic to get folks to buy into an area ‘close to a school’ which in time, never eventuates. We believe the City should be actively advocating the WA Education Department for the development of a new school on the planned site in Dunsborough Lakes and Dunsborough 2030 will assist any community group lobbying for this cause.
4. Town gridlock
As our community grows, so too does the need to accommodate new businesses and expand our town centre. Balancing the two whilst maintaining Dunsborough’s unique character, lifestyle and community values is possible with thoughtful planning and compromise between the City Planners, JDAP and the community. The City Planners’ view that Dunsborough community should accept that it is going to become a much bigger town, because the Planning Commission in Perth thinks so, and therefore it needs multi storey blocks of units, is not a view shared by the people of Dunsborough.
The people of Dunsborough want their town to retain its character as a village style town with a relaxed environment and beach holiday atmosphere – we don’t want multi-storey apartments in our CBD.
Dunsborough 2030 therefore, in combination with Dunsborough Progress Association are aiming to be included in town planning concepts before they go to draft stage, in essence acting as a community spokes group and being on the front foot and part of the planning process rather than fighting proposed development.
‘…we would like the opportunity to be intimately involved in order to ensure that the views of Dunsborough people are heard loud and clear.
The character of the town should also be central to the development of the Town Centre plan.
We at Dunsborough2030 would like the opportunity for consultation while all options are being considered.
Public consultation in respect of planning policies tends to take place after drafts have been finalised and therefore, after professional opinions have been formed.
We think it is important that the consultation with the public needs to occur before opinions have hardened. Having said that, we acknowledge that some of us were involved in a workshop with the City’s consultants last year.’
- Excerpt from letter to Mayor Grant Henley from Peter Kyle, Dunsborough 2030 Chairman
It’s important then, we know what YOU want for the town and thus, we can represent you in the planning process.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Get involved! Join Dunsborough 2030 in its FIGHT for Dunsborough!
Follow Us
Follow us on Facebook at Dunsborough2030 an follow our prompts as to when to write and to whom, where and how to petition and take part in important town planning
Follow us on Instagram @dunsborough2030- use hashtags #fightfordunsborough #dunsboroughlife #curbtheburbs #mydunsboroughholiday #worthhangingonto
2. Fundraising for a cause
We are a community group and therefore rely on fundraising to pay for simple things like signage, market stall set up and stationary and then grander items, such as official surveys, environmental reports and court proceedings. Any donation you can spare will be used to support the FIGHT for Dunsborough!
Become a member: for $40, join Dunsborough 2030 and receive a campaign tee-shirt, monthly newsletter and updates on planned developments in Dunsborough and how you can get involved.
3. Tag a minister or COB councillor
When you’re out and about enjoying all the town has to offer, why not let a Councillor, the Mayor and Minister’s know? That’s right, tag them into posts of you and your friends or family at the beach, enjoying a sunset or even escaping to a secluded spot on the beach. Send them photos of your day’s catch and BBQ and beer and suggest our lifestyle is #worthhangingonto
@mark_mcgowan_mp - Premier Honourable Mark McGowan MLA
@minister.papalia - Paul Papalia: Minister for Tourism; Racing and Gaming; Small Business; Defence Issues; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
@citybusselton - City of Busselton
@grant.henleybusselton - COB Mayor
@jobarrettlennard - COB Councillor
@phillcronin - COB Councillor
@councillor_ross_paine - COB Councillor
@paul_._carter - COB Councillor
4. Get writing
The pen is mightier than the sword and in an election year, the COB have all the more reason to listen to you! Drop them an email or letter outlining your concerns and what it is you want for the town.
Or you can email each person individually or, even send them a letter in the post and mail to:
C/- City of Busselton Locked Bag 1. BUSSELTON 6280