Recently Closed Consultations

We are proposing to test a new approach to reducing speed limits across the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and City of Busselton. We are seeking feedback to help understand if there is community support for a reduction in speed limits through the Safer Speeds Trial.

What is the Safer Speeds Trial?

The Safer Speeds Trial aims to assess the impact of reducing speed limits on roads managed by local governments, specifically within parts of the City of Busselton and Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

The Trial will use a holistic, area-wide approach, which means there will be a consistent reduction of speed limits across similar road types in selected areas between Busselton and Augusta. Approximately 550 roads in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and 1,250 roads in the City of Busselton will be affected.

The Trial is the first of its kind in WA and is a partnership between the City of Busselton, Shire of Augusta Margaret River and RAC with implementation support from Main Roads WA.

For more information click here: yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/safer-speeds-trial

Marybrook Siesta Park Integrated Coastal Erosion Protection Strategy Project:

The City completed a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP) in 2022. The purpose of the CHRMAP was to identify the current and projected extent of risk to private assets, public infrastructure, and environmental, social and cultural values from coastal hazards arising from sea level rise. The CHRMAP also provides a framework for responding to those hazards, with adaptation pathways over a 100-year timeframe.

In 2023 the City received grant funding from the State Government to undertake one of the recommendations of the CHRMAP, being the preparation of an integrated erosion protection strategy for a section of the Marybrook Siesta Park coastline.

Westpeak Engineering has been engaged to prepare the strategy, and project tasks that have been undertaken to date include a baseline assessment of past and current coastal erosion impacts, coastal processes influencing the project site, and draft concept options for managing coastal erosion.

Residents within the project area and the wider community were invited to have their say and review the proposed designs. Westpeak Engineering and Officers will now review feedback and develop the Erosion Protection Strategy.

To view the project page click here: yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/chrmap

Thank you to all community members who completed a community scorecard survey or attended a workshop, your input into the development of the Council Plan 2024-34 is invaluable. The draft Council Plan was adopted by Council at the 16 October 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting.

You can view the supplementary agenda item here.

The project page can be found here: yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/council-plan

At the October Ordinary Council Meeting, Council adopted the Local Heritage Survey and Heritage List, with a few amendments. Full details can be found in the Council Minutes, to be published over the coming weeks. You can find out more here: Minutes and Agendas » City of Busselton.

The Heritage Review project page can be found here: yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/heritage-review-2024

Council resolved the alternative recommendation to confirm that the hireable e-scooter trial period has been completed, and to authorise the CEO to negotiate a license to enter into a licence agreement with Neuron Mobility. Further information on this decision will be detailed in the Council Minutes, to be published over the coming weeks. The minutes will be available here: Minutes and Agendas » City of Busselton

The Hireable E-Scooter project page can be found here: yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/escooters

Project Overview:

Have you ever wandered past the Old Busselton Cemetery (Pioneer Cemetery) and wondered about its origins? Perhaps you have a relative buried there?

The Old Busselton Cemetery, located between Marine Terrace and Adelaide Street, was established in 1847 and formally gazetted in 1856. Many of the districts prominent families are buried there. The first recorded burial was Mr Patrick Hurley in 1858 and there are over 250 recorded burials - although 550 individuals have records associated with the cemetery. Burials ceased at the cemetery in the 1930’s.

Since 2009, significant progress has been made to conserve the cemetery in collaboration with the community. The grave sites have been cleared, overgrown vegetation removed and interpretive signage on the cemetery’s history installed. Some sites have additional information about individuals who are buried there. A map was also created to make it easier for visitors to identify where the gravesites are.

The next stage of the plan is to install new name tablets, as some of the current ones have incorrect dates and names misspelt.

Updating name tablets:

Over the last 12 months the City has been gathering names and information about the people who were buried in the Old Busselton Cemetery. Working with a group of volunteers and community groups, the number of people who have most likely been buried in the cemetery has grown. Initial records lists approximately 250 burials (as listed in the State Heritage Register of Heritage Places Assessment Documentation), during this process this number grew to over 1,000.

The community have been invited to review the updated list and provide comment. Consultation closed on 18 October 2024, officers will now review the feedback and make final adjustments for the printing of the tablets.

For more information click here:

Old Busselton Cemetery Project | Your Say Busselton

The State Government has put in place restrictions to stop shark fishing from the Busselton Jetty and all nearshore waters (within 800m from shore) along the Busselton foreshore (between the Vasse Diversion Drain and the Georgette Street boat ramp) will come into effect from 1 October.

Recreational line fishing from the Busselton Jetty, without the use of wire trace, is not impacted and people will still be able fish for popular angling species like herring and squid.

Through a community consultation survey that ran in March 2024, over 1,700 responses were received, 65% supported the prohibition in this location, 25% were against, with 10% indifferent. The feedback was provided to the Minister for Fisheries who then approved the wire trace restrictions to the area.

Fisheries are responsible for enforcement of compliance, however the City will implement signage in appropriate locations on the foreshore which will include QR codes for community to report any identified concerns. Ranger staff will also provide community with information sheets which they will actively distribute to recreational users of this. Further information on shark recreational fishing can be found here.

yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/shark-fishing-off-busselton-jetty

The Tails of the City project is an initiative by the City of Busselton aimed at improving dog and cat management practices through broad community participation.

In response to the evolving challenges related to dog ownership, including dog behaviour, public safety, and animal welfare, the project seeks to review and enhance existing management controls. This initiative provides an opportunity for both pet owners and non-pet owners to participate in shaping the policies and practices that impact your community. By participating in the public consultation, your feedback will contribute to a city prepared draft Animal Management Plan, which will be made available for further public consultation. This underscores the City of Busselton's commitment to public safety, responsible dog ownership, and the wellbeing of all residents, visitors, and animals.

Consultation concluded 11 August 2024. Feedback from the community will now be reviewed and a draft Animal Management Plan developed.

Based on feedback from the community and stakeholders in the disability advocacy and support sector, Lou Weston play space at the corner of Dorset and King Street, West Busselton has been upgraded with inclusivity in mind. The play space is now fully fenced and features sensory play equipment for children with sensory needs. It provides a fresh, comfortable and safe environment for play.

Several other playgrounds recieved some love this month with new or improved equipment, infrastructure or new shade structures ready for next summer. The other play spaces with new shade structures include: Newport Geographe, Vasse Dawson Central Area and Vasse Kaloorup Oval, and upgraded play spaces include: Jarrahwood nature play and meeting space, Heron Place and Vasse Kaloorup Oval.

The City’s consultation on its procurement systems and processes closed in late May with a total of 9 submissions received. The survey of suppliers identified no major concerns with the City’s current procurement practices. City officers will continue to develop procurement systems and processes to increase opportunities for local suppliers and deliver value for money for the City of Busselton.