Bunbury, located 175 kilometres south of Perth, is the principal commercial, industrial, transport and service hub for the south west of Western Australia. The City features a large residential population as well as significant employment areas based around the CBD, Port and industrial areas. Adjacent areas outside of the City in the broader Greater Bunbury Area tend to be dormitory suburbs of the City, although Australind and Eaton boast sizeable commercial areas.
The residential development of Bunbury has followed the City's role as a port for the surrounding rural hinterland. Early settlement of the City dates from the 1830s, with many of the public buildings constructed in the second half of the nineteenth century. Its role as a major hub for the South-West was enhanced in the 1890s with rail links to Perth and Boyanup established.
Like many areas in Western Australia, significant population growth occurred in the post-Second World War period, with greater expansion of dairying, cropping, timber and mining in the area. In more recent decades, the growth in tourism and lifestyle / retirement migration has provided an additional spur for local economic and population growth. By the early 1990s, the City’s residential growth slowed, with a much larger share of residential development occurring in the Shires of Harvey (Australind and Leschenault) and Dardanup (Eaton), as well as changes towards smaller households within the City. Since 2000, substantial growth has also occurred in the Dalyellup area of the Shire of Capel.
The dominant drivers for population gain in the Bunbury Region over the last decade have been:
- gain of persons from overseas and from rural / mining districts across Western Australia
- employment growth in services, especially tourism based industries, retail trade, health and education
- growth in regional mining output and enhancement of port functions
- growth in value-adding to local agricultural produce
- Attraction of families to the area, based on the amenity and beauty
The dominant drivers for population loss in the Bunbury Region over the last decade have been:
- loss of young people (18-24 years) to Perth
- global economic downturns, lowering demand for local agricultural and mining output
- loss of employment in other key industries such as government administration and utilities
It is assumed that a number of the migration patterns will continue into the future, most notably flows into the City from overseas and losses of young people to Perth.
Overall, employment factors will have a strong bearing on population growth in the next fifteen to twenty years in the City of Bunbury and surrounds. Global demand for resources has promoted significant growth in mining and primary industries and has resulted in strong expenditure patterns and service employment growth in Bunbury. The City will benefit from further growth and enhancement of its service functions, most notably as a result of the City reaching a critical mass in population.
Within the Bunbury urban area, suburbs and localities have developed and will continue to evolve different roles within the housing market. Variations occur due to when areas were settled, the range of land uses in the area and the varying planning policies in play. Bunbury-Vittoria-Pelican Point tends to gain people in most age groups. With a greater share of high density stock in the future around the port and the CBD, a greater share of young adults and retirees would be expected. Carey Park attracts a large number of persons in their late teens and twenties, which is a reflection on the more 'urban' nature of the area with significant affordable rental stock. The areas on the outskirts of the City, such as Australind, Dalyellup (Capel Shire - Part A), Eaton-Millbridge tend to attract young couples and families, while the more rural area of Leschenault and the established suburbs of South Bunbury and East Bunbury tend to attract a greater share of established and mature families looking to upgrade to their second and third home.
There are also significant differences in the supply of residential property within Bunbury which will also have a major influence in structuring different population and household futures over the next five to twenty years. Large new 'greenfield' opportunities have been identified in areas just outside of the City such as Dalyellup (Capel Shire - Part A), Eaton-Millbridge and Australind, as well as in Glen Iris. Significant residential opportunities are also available around the Port and in the CBD, with large developments already completed. There are also substantial opportunities for increasing residential densities in existing areas of Bunbury, most notable around a range of retail and commercial centres.