Bunnings' $70 Million Relocation from Bunbury to Dalyellup Sparks Community and Political Backlash
Hardware retailer Bunnings plans to close its Bunbury store and relocate 10 kilometres away to Dalyellup in Western Australia, prompting strong opposition from local businesses, the city council, and politicians. The controversy centers on whether the new site, zoned for urban development, should be reserved for residential housing given Bunbury's acknowledged housing shortage. The decision highlights tensions between commercial expansion and urban planning priorities in regional Australia.
Bunnings has announced a $70 million relocation of its store from a retail centre in Bunbury, Western Australia's second-largest city, to nearby Dalyellup in the Shire of Capel. The move has triggered significant community opposition, with approximately 100 people attending a public meeting and the City of Bunbury voting to lodge a formal objection. Key concerns include the impact on surrounding businesses in Bunbury's CBD, which is undergoing revitalisation efforts, and the use of land zoned for urban development that was previously earmarked for residential housing. Federal Liberal MP Ben Small and state Labor MP Don Punch have both raised objections, citing the critical housing shortage in the South West region, with 300 residential lots potentially displaced by the commercial development. Bunnings claims the new 18,000-square-metre store will create approximately 60 jobs, while Shire of Capel council officers argue the land may be unsuitable for residential use due to proximity to a major road requiring noise mitigation. The Western Australian Planning Commission will make the final decision on the development application.
What's missing
The article does not provide Bunnings' full rationale for the relocation beyond job creation figures, such as operational efficiency gains, customer accessibility improvements, or specific commercial advantages of the Dalyellup location. Additionally, the article does not detail the timeline for the proposed move or the current lease terms at the existing Bunbury location.
What different sources said
- ABC AustraliaCenter
How the relocation of a Bunnings store ignited a furore in this town
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