The WA Planning Commission has knocked back a proposal for a new Bunnings store in Dalyellup, ruling that the site earmarked for residential development should not be used for a big‑box retail project. After more than four hours of deliberation on Wednesday, commissioners said they were not satisfied the development represented the “highest and best use” of the land.
Bunnings property and store development manager Garry James said the company was disappointed by the outcome and would take time to “review the result and consider next steps.”
The decision followed strong objections from Citygate, Bunnings’ current Bunbury landlord, which argued the move would drain sales from local retailers. Bunnings disputed that claim, pointing to its own modelling that forecast only a five per cent short‑term reduction in turnover for Bunbury’s commercial precinct and only among larger reta
Commission members stressed that while the land could potentially be rezoned for commercial use in future, they could not approve the development in its current form because it clearly departed from the existing structure plan.
WA Planning Commission chair Emma Cole described the matter as one of the most difficult applications the commission had faced. “There have been many valid points raised along the way, and it’s certainly been one of the more challenging applications,” she said.
The ruling leaves Bunnings without approval for its Dalyellup expansion, while the broader question of future land use in the fast‑growing suburb remains open.
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