Councillors will make "right decisions": mayor
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA wants to build a 630sq m treatment and outreach centre for sufferers and their families in the middle of Bunbury's light industrial area.
It is one of two complex planning applications set to be decided tonight by Bunbury City Council.
The MS Society plans to build a custom-designed treatment and outreach centre on a 2800sq m block on Mason Street.
According to the application, activities will include group support, physiotherapy and other specialist medical services.
Council planners want councillors to reject the application because of the location and instead encourage the MS Society to build it closer to Bunbury's city centre.
But councillors have been given another option - approve the development but impose at least 20 stringent conditions.
At last Tuesday's council briefing session, Cr Neville McNeill questioned if the treatment centre could be located elsewhere.
Meanwhile, council planners have also recommended councillors reject a proposal to relocate a SportsPower store from Eaton Fair shopping centre to Sandridge Road in Bunbury.
During lengthy discussion at the briefing session, acting chief executive officer Bob Karaszkewcyh said councillors should reject the application because retail stores should be located in the central business district.
The application has renewed debate about the difference between the definition of retail - which is predominantly allowed in the CBD - and bulky goods, which can be located outside of the CBD.
The council last year faced legal action from the owners of Rusticana after the gourmet food store was prevented from relocating from Victoria Street to the Homemaker Centre in Bunbury because of the same issue.
Mayor Gary Brennan admitted to the _Bunbury Herald _that both applications were "complex" - but said councillors would make their decision tonight.
Both the MS Society and SportsPower can appeal the council's decision in the State Administrative Tribunal, which could result in lengthy and expensive legal action for the council.
