We have been shaping the future of one of our most iconic spaces – Bicentennial Square and its surrounding precinct.
Published 22 June 2026
Located between the City Centre and the beautiful Leschenault Inlet, this strategic site holds enormous potential to become a thriving, activated town square and vibrant community space.
Over the past 18 months, two stages of engagement have been undertaken with our community and stakeholders. The first focused on understanding the sentiments, priorities and important considerations in developing this space.
The draft masterplan was then shaped by this extensive community and stakeholder engagement, proposing six vibrant precinct components and guided by nine strategic moves that set the vision for a more connected, inclusive and flexible public space.
Stage two involved understanding feedback and thoughts on this draft masterplan and the proposed key moves.
The headline: be brave, be bold and do it well.
Overall, 74% of you supported or somewhat supported the draft masterplan – a strong foundation to move forward.
The message was clear: invest properly, execute professionally, and commit to the full vision rather than spreading funds across multiple mediocre elements.
You want Bunbury to create something other cities haven’t – a place that protects our natural environment, responds to future needs, and makes young people and families want to stay.
The feedback received was rich and passionate, and several clear themes emerged:
Shade and green infrastructure are non-negotiable.
You want large, established native trees, water-wise landscaping, open lawn for gathering, and natural play spaces for families. Many of you said the plan would be “underwhelming” without substantial canopy cover.
Accessibility must come first.
Universal and inclusive design – wide accessible paths, more ramps, fewer steps, low-sensory areas, sheltered ACROD bays, and clean, safe amenities – was a strong and consistent priority.
Blair Street is a key challenge.
The current road creates a divide between the city and the inlet, and resolving this is central to connecting these two spaces. At the same time, you raised genuine concerns about traffic flow – particularly the potential for impacts on Victoria Street. This is why detailed traffic modelling has been central to our planning. Five design options were tested to find the best balance between pedestrian connectivity and sensible traffic flow. The preferred approach – reducing Blair Street to two lanes between Symmons and Haley Streets at 40km/h - improves pedestrian safety and crossings while maintaining overall network performance. Traffic flow will continue to be carefully managed as the design is refined.
Safety is the number one concern.
67% of you identified safety and security as the biggest challenge in the square’s current form. Better lighting, passive surveillance, and CPTED design principles were called for throughout.
Homelessness needs compassion, not just relocation.
This generated some of the most divided and deeply felt feedback. Many of you recognised that homelessness is a complex social challenge that no single project – or local government – can solve alone, and that genuine solutions require leadership and resourcing from State and Federal Government. We agree. The City will continue to advocate strongly for this support and to work alongside the agencies and community organisations already providing frontline services. At the same time, we’re committed to playing our part. We heard clearly that people want solutions that offer alternatives, not simply move people on. Our focus is on creating a safe, welcoming and well-designed space for everyone – improving lighting, sightlines and activation in ways that benefit the whole community, including people doing it tough.
Bus station relocation has support – with conditions.
More than half of respondents support relocation, with a strong priority on maintaining convenient and accessible public transport within the City Centre. We’ll continue to work with the Public Transport Authority to ensure City Centre bus access is retained through well-placed connection points, and that traffic impacts are carefully managed.
New jetty.
While many supported the new jetty, considerations around its size and ensuring it does not impede water sports and activities need to be addressed in detailed design.
Preserve our railway heritage.
Strong consensus emerged around restoring the train station, with ideas including a visitor centre, café, market, or museum.
Parking matters.
You told us businesses can’t thrive without accessible, adequate parking nearby – and we agree this is essential to the precinct’s success. Parking will be addressed in two ways. Within the precinct, provision will be carefully considered through the detailed design and staged delivery of the project, including accessible and ACROD bays close to key spaces. More broadly, the City is finalising its Car Park Strategy, which will identify parking solutions and plans for the City Centre as a whole – ensuring the precinct is planned in step with, not in isolation from, parking across the wider city.
A pretty place isn’t enough.
A pretty place doesn’t mean much without a plan to activate it. You want year-round events, night-time vibrancy, and a true destination – not just an occasional-use space.
Support existing businesses.
Many of you cautioned against competing with the established City Centre and stressed integration with Victoria Street, Koombana, Back Beach, and our cultural assets.
Keep our history.
You told us our heritage matters, with strong support for retaining Bicentennial Square recognition and honouring Graham Bricknell's legacy. We also heard the importance of reconciliation and recognising the Wardandi Noongar people’s connection to this place. Balancing these perspectives matters, which is why naming will be a dedicated, separate conversation with both Wardandi Elders and the wider community. Recognition of Graham Bricknell’s legacy will be honoured regardless of the outcome.
All of this feedback has been pivotal in ensuring the masterplan reflects our community’s aspirations for the space.
What happens next
The next step is to present the draft masterplan to Council for endorsement. Importantly, endorsement sets the overall vision and direction – it is not the final word on the detail. Many of the specific elements you’ve told us matter most – including parking, traffic flow, the jetty, heritage and landscaping – will be worked through during detailed design.
From there, our team will progress detailed design informed by your feedback, seek funding opportunities, and plan the staged delivery of the project. This is a long-term vision that will be delivered in stages over time, and community engagement will continue at each stage.
We remain committed to working closely with our community and stakeholders as specific delivery projects take shape – there will be further opportunities to have your say.
Together, we’re shaping the vibrant heart of Bunbury 💛
Watch this space for further updates and opportunities to have your say 👇
