Western Australia’s Bunbury City Council has released four possible scenarios for the future of the Bunbury Racecourse Precinct, with one proposal being a multi-storey residential development and retirement village.

The development concept – based on the words ‘revitalise, renewal, redevelop or activity centre’ - is considered the most different, as it includes a four to five storey residential development adjacent to Bunbury Turf Club and a retirement village on the jog track.

While there are currently no fixed options for the looming development, the council has put the ideas to the community in a survey; one of the latest initiatives in a lengthy consultation process to develop a Local Area Plan for the precinct.

Mayor Gary Brennan said all ideas were in play and while work to develop a plan was well under way, there was still a long way to go. Mr. Brennan said any outcome for the precinct needed to cater for Bunbury’s future, and any redevelopment of the precinct was an opportunity to enhance the area for the community.

“The continuation of the Bunbury turf and trotting clubs are not negotiable and the equine industry is also important for our community,” he said.

“This is an opportunity to entertain other uses in the precinct area, including more residential, perhaps more equine and as far as the turf club is concerned that area along Blair Street is probably seen as commercial.”