Registrations of Interest have closed. Council has nominated a preferred lessee, and lease negotiations are under way.
The City of Bunbury is securing a quality hospitality operator for the beachfront venue at Lot 757 Ocean Drive, one of the best coastal locations in Western Australia, with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.
The Opportunity - Registrations now closed
The City invited Registrations of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced hospitality operators to lease the beachfront venue at Lot 757 Ocean Drive, Back Beach.
The opportunity was advertised locally and across Western Australia to attract the strongest possible range of proposals for this important community asset. The City received high-quality submissions, including from well-respected local businesses, and thanks everyone who took part.
The City's goal is a venue that serves the community, welcomes visitors and helps bring the Back Beach precinct to life, from early-morning coffee to sunset dining.
How submissions were assessed
Every submission was assessed against the same selection criteria, which were published in the Request for Proposal:
- Your vision (40%): the business vision, how it aligns with the City’s Council Plan, and how it would add to the activation and vibrancy of the beach area, including any events, hire or external activation
- Understanding of the customer base (20%): target customers, how the business would cater to different market segments, and the point of difference for Bunbury
- Marketing and promotion (20%): brand identity and how the business would be marketed and promoted
- Collaboration and partnerships (20%): understanding of the value of partnering with local organisations, businesses and suppliers, and who the business intends to work with
An evaluation panel of two City officers and four Elected Members assessed every proposal against the same published selection criteria.
All evaluation panel members signed confidentiality and conflict of interest declarations. No relevant interests were declared in relation to any respondent.
On 20 October 2026, Council endorsed the Evaluation Panel’s recommendation and nominated a preferred lessee for the Back Beach Hospitality Venue (Council Decision 180/26).
What happens next
Once the lease is finalised it will be advertised publicly for 14 days under section 3.58 of the Local Government Act 1995. Anyone can make a submission during that period. Details of how to make a submission will be published on the City's website when advertising begins.
The Location
Lot 757 Ocean Drive sits on one of the most enviable positions on the Western Australian coastline.
- Directly on the sand at Bunbury’s Back Beach
- Uninterrupted, panoramic Indian Ocean views
- West-facing sunset aspect over the water
- Adjacent to Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club
- Walking distance to Bunbury City Centre
- Ample free parking at the door
- One of Bunbury’s most popular family beaches
- Surrounded by established residential areas
Back Beach is one of Bunbury’s most-visited natural assets, drawing locals and tourists year-round for swimming, surfing, walking, and coastal recreation. The adjacent Surf Life Saving Club provides consistent foot traffic and community activity throughout the year.
The venue is positioned on Ocean Drive – Bunbury’s premier coastal corridor – with direct road access, high visibility, and a natural catchment that extends across the city and broader South West region.
The Vision
The City of Bunbury is looking for an operator who sees what we see. A venue alive with energy from morning to night. The smell of coffee at dawn. Families on the deck at lunchtime. Friends gathering as the sun sets over the ocean. Community events that spill onto the sand.
A place that people talk about, come back to, and feel belongs to them.
We welcomed proposals that included:
- Early morning trade – serving the walkers, swimmers and surfers who use the beach at dawn
- Breakfast and brunch – a destination for locals and visitors alike
- Lunch and afternoon service – catering to beachgoers, families and the midday coastal crowd
- Evening dining – making the most of the sunset views and creating a reason to visit after dark
- Events and activation – live music, community gatherings, beachside markets, cultural events
- Complementary services – equipment hire, beach-related retail, or other creative activations
- Event collaboration – working with the City and event organisers to support and service major events at Back Beach
Aligned with our Council Plan
The City's vision is to be Western Australia's Most Connected Coastal City. Securing a quality hospitality operator for the Back Beach venue supports this vision by creating a vibrant beachfront destination that brings people together, activates the waterfront and contributes to the local economy.
Our City Centre - Activation: supporting the activation and vibrancy of the waterfront precinct and encouraging more people to visit Bunbury's coastline.
Our Economy - Business-Friendly City and Investment & Employment: creating a long-term commercial opportunity that supports investment, local jobs and partnerships with local businesses and suppliers, and contributes to Bunbury's visitor economy and its reputation as a regional destination.
Update 10 November 2026: We've revised the wording in this section. It previously referred to 'providing certainty for an established local business'. This could be read as suggesting a preference for a particular operator, which wasn't the intent. The Registration of Interest was open to all suitably qualified operators, and every submission was assessed against the same selection criteria published in the Request for Proposal.
The Precinct: A Coastline Coming to Life
Ocean Drive is on the cusp of significant transformation, and this venue is at the heart of it.
Bunbury’s Back Beach coastline has long been recognised as one of the city’s greatest assets. Significant development is planned for large parcels of land along and adjacent to Ocean Drive, bringing new residents, new visitors, and new energy to this stretch of coast.
What’s coming:
- Major land parcels along Ocean Drive earmarked for development
- Anticipated growth in local population and visitor numbers
- City investment in coastal amenity, public spaces, and infrastructure
- Broader activation of the Back Beach foreshore and surrounds
The operator who establishes themselves here now will be first mover in a precinct that is about to change dramatically.
This isn’t a venue in isolation. It’s the anchor of an emerging coastal destination, and the City is committed to the long-term vision for this area.
A City Invested in Your Success
The City of Bunbury isn’t looking for a tenant to simply occupy a building. We’re looking for a partner to help activate a community asset.
| What the City provides | What we’re looking for |
| Structural maintenance of the building | An operator who maintains and cares for the venue day-to-day |
| Collaboration on major events at Back Beach | An operator who embraces events and community activation |
| Ongoing investment in the precinct’s amenity and infrastructure | An operator who sees the long-term and potential and is committed to growing with the area |
| A flexible brief that welcomes creative concepts | An operator with a clear vision and the experience to execute it |
| A transparent, supportive leasing relationship | An operator who communicates openly and operates with integrity |
We want you to succeed, because when this venue thrives, the whole community benefits.
Lease Summary
| Property | Lot 757 Ocean Drive, Reserve 43260, Bunbury WA |
| Venue size | Approximately 1,000m2 |
| Facilities | Commercial kitchen shell ready for customisation, indoor dining, alfresco deck, function room |
| Lease term | 5 years, with further options subject to negotiation |
| Annual rent | $100,000 exclusive of GST |
| Outgoings | Payable by lessee |
| Rent adjustments | Annual CPI increases; market rent review every 3 years |
| Structural maintenance | City of Bunbury responsibility |
| Operational maintenance & cleaning | Lessee responsibility |
| Fixtures | City-owned fixtures included; lessee responsible for ongoing maintenance |
Insurance Requirements
The successful operator must obtain and maintain:
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance
- Public Liability Insurance
- Insurance for equipment, goods and chattels
Legislative Framework
The lease will be subject to:
- Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreements Act 1985
- Local Government Act 1995 (Section 3.58 – public advertising of disposition)
- All relevant Australian Standards and regulatory requirements
How to Apply - Registrations now closed
Thank you to everyone who registered their interest in this opportunity. Registrations closed on 18 September, and the City looks forward to sharing an update in due course.
Contact
For all enquiries regarding this opportunity:
Cassie Pedersen - Property Officer Leasing & Licencing
(08) 9792 7000
leasing@bunbury.wa.gov.au
4 Stephen Street, Bunbury WA 6230
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Partnering with local organisations, businesses and suppliers was assessed under the Collaboration and Partnerships criterion, weighted at 20%. All respondents were assessed against the same published criteria. The City’s regional price preference policy applies to procurement tenders and wasn’t part of this lease process.
Yes. Once the lease is finalised it will be advertised publicly for 14 days under section 3.58 of the Local Government Act 1995, and any submissions received will be considered.
The venue includes a commercial kitchen shell, offering a blank canvas for operators to create a fit-out tailored to their unique concept and operational requirements, as well as an indoor dining area, alfresco deck and function room.
The City welcomed proposals that included improvements or enhancements to the venue. Any discretionary maintenance and improvements will be at the cost of the successful operator. The City remains responsible for structural maintenance. Details of any proposed changes should be outlined in your submission.
The proposed annual rent of $100,000 (exclusive of GST) plus outgoings is based on an independent market valuation. The City may consider submissions that propose alternative commercial terms, provided they are clearly justified and represent fair value.
The initial lease term is five (5) years. Further terms beyond the initial period are subject to negotiation with the City.
Significant development is earmarked for large parcels of land along and adjacent to Ocean Drive. The City encourages prospective operators to attend the site inspection for further context on the precinct’s trajectory. Specific development enquiries can be directed to the City’s Economic Development team.
Absolutely. The City welcomed innovative and creative proposals. While hospitality operations should form the core business, complementary activities such as equipment hire, retail, events, and community programming were encouraged.
A selection panel of qualified City Officers will assess all submissions against the selection criteria. Shortlisted respondents may be contacted for further information or clarification. The preferred respondent will be recommended to Council for consideration, following which lease negotiations will commence.