Published 30 June 2026
The City of Bunbury is proposing to enter a joint venture to develop the former Punchbowl caravan park site (Lot 211 and Lot 501 Holywell Street, South Bunbury), providing increased housing supply including potential for both permanent residential and short-term accommodation use. A business plan for this proposed major land transaction is now open for public comment for six weeks, from 30 June to 11 August 2026.
What we’re asking
Right now, the City is seeking community feedback on one specific decision: whether it should enter a joint venture to develop the site.
This stage is about the business arrangement – not the design of the development itself. The specifics, including what gets built, the layout and the look and feel, will be determined at a later stage, which will have its own opportunity for community comment.
In short, there are two opportunities to have your say. The joint venture now, and the development later. This is step one.
About the proposal
The Punchbowl site is a 2+ hectare (20,688m²) City-owned freehold parcel in South Bunbury, comprising the former Punchbowl caravan park. It has been vacant for almost a quarter of a century.
Following a comprehensive review of its landholdings – and in response to long-standing community calls to activate this vacant site – the City identified Punchbowl as having strong potential to support residential development and contribute to Bunbury’s housing supply.
At its meeting on 19 May 2026, Council resolved to commence the process of a major land transaction – a proposed joint venture to develop the site. Under a joint venture model, the City contributes the land, the development partner undertakes the planning, subdivision, construction and sale, and both parties share in the returns, with the specific terms to be determined as the agreement is finalised. This approach allows the City to retain an ongoing interest in the development and influence the outcome, rather than simply selling the land outright.
Why it matters
Bunbury is experiencing a housing shortage, and the City has been working to activate this significant site for over 15 years. Developing Punchbowl will contribute new homes to support housing supply, activate a site that has sat vacant for almost a quarter of a century, generate local jobs during construction, and deliver ongoing rates revenue for the community. Proceeds from the transaction will be directed to the City’s Strategic Land Management Reserve for future strategic projects. This proposal aligns with the City’s Local Housing Strategy, which guides how Bunbury accommodates future growth and identifies the importance of increasing housing supply and diversity in well-located, established areas
The business plan is available for public inspection:
Hardcopies are also available at the City of Bunbury Administration Centre, 4 Stephen Street, Bunbury, during business hours.
How to have your say
Submissions can be made:
In writing to the Chief Executive Officer, City of Bunbury, PO Box 21, Bunbury WA 6230
Delivered to the Administration Centre, 4 Stephen Street, Bunbury
By email to info@bunbury.wa.gov.au
Submissions opened Tuesday 30 June and close at 4pm on Tuesday 11 August 2026.
All submissions will be presented to Council for consideration before any final decision is made.
Any future contractual arrangement will also return to Council for approval before it is executed.
A site 15 years in the making
The City has worked methodically over many years to reach this point, including previous market listings, a land investigation agreement with LandCorp, geotechnical investigations, and a Registration of Interest process. This timeline reflects the genuine complexity of activating a site of this size and history
For more information, check out the project page below.
Part of the City’s broader land program
Punchbowl is one of several strategic City-owned sites being progressed to support housing and growth in Bunbury. For more information on the City’s broader land program, click below.
For enquiries, contact the City’s Economic Development Team on 9792 7000 or info@bunbury.wa.gov.au
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995 (WA)
CITY OF BUNBURY
NOTICE – MAJOR LAND TRANSACTION (SECTION 3.59)
The City of Bunbury hereby gives notice pursuant to section 3.59 of the Local Government
Act 1995 of its intention to dispose of land by way of a major land transaction.
The land the subject of the proposed transaction comprises:
Lot 211 on Deposited Plan 643(2), being 26 Holywell Street, South Bunbury; and
Lot 501 on Deposited Plan 404732, being 14 Holywell Street, South Bunbury.
A business plan has been prepared in relation to the proposed major land transaction in
accordance with section 3.59 of the Act.
The business plan includes an assessment of:
The expected impact on the provision of facilities and services
The expected impact on other service providers
The financial implications for the local government
The consistency with the local government’s strategic plans
The capacity of the local government to manage the transaction
The business plan is available for public inspection:
At the City of Bunbury Administration Centre, 4 Stephen Street, Bunbury, during
normal business hours; and
on the City’s website at: https://www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/news
Public submissions are invited in relation to the proposed major land transaction.
Submissions must be made in writing and addressed to:
Chief Executive Officer
City of Bunbury
PO Box 21
BUNBURY WA 6231
Alternatively, submissions may be:
Delivered to the Administration Centre at 4 Stephen Street, Bunbury; or
emailed to info@bunbury.wa.gov.au
Submissions must be received no later than 4.00pm on 11 August 2026, being a date not
less than six weeks the date of publication of this notice.
All submissions received will be considered by the Council before a decision is made in
respect of the proposed transaction.
Enquiries can be directed to Gemma Stewart, Strategic Lands Officer, Telephone 9792
7000 or email info@bunbury.wa.gov.au.
Alan Ferris
Chief Executive Officer