How the relocation of a Bunnings store ignited a furore in this town

A significant public outcry has erupted in Bunbury, Western Australia, over hardware retailer Bunnings's decision to close its current store and relocate 10 kilometers away to the neighboring Shire of Capel. The proposed $70 million move has ignited fierce objections from the local business community, the city's mayor, and state and federal politicians.

Local business owners, like Eddy Gobby, who operates a suspension workshop near the existing Bunnings site, fear the departure will negatively impact surrounding businesses. "Don't you think they have sort of corporate responsibility?" Gobby questioned, suggesting a lack of consideration for the existing commercial ecosystem.

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Don't you think they have sort of corporate responsibility?

Further complicating the issue are questions surrounding the suitability of the proposed new site in Dalyellup. While zoned for urban development, the land has been earmarked for residential use under the shire's structure plan. Federal Liberal MP Ben Small is leading the charge against the move, urging planning authorities to refuse the development application. "The number one issue for the South West is the lack of sufficient housing," he stated, emphasizing that "300 lots ready to go for housing [are] being displaced by a commercial enterprise."

Capel council officers, however, argue that the land's proximity to a major road may render it less suitable for residential use due to noise mitigation requirements. The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) will ultimately decide the land's permitted use, considering feedback from the community and the City of Bunbury. This relocation also comes as Bunbury's CBD undergoes revitalization efforts, with businesses worried that moving Bunnings further from the city center could have detrimental knock-on effects.

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The number one issue for the South West is the lack of sufficient housing. This is a red hot issue, because people can see 300 lots ready to go for housing being displaced by a commercial enterprise that is seeking to move.