‘High rise hell no’ : Hundreds of Dunsborough locals rally to ‘fight the height’

Hundreds of Dunsborough residents gathered in Lions Park on Saturday to send a message to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti to approve a planning scheme which would prevent the construction of high-rise buildings in the coastal town.

This comes as several five-storey buildings are being developed in the town after receiving initial approval from the local council.

In December 2022, the council approved a new planning scheme amendment for the new town centre.

If agreed to by the minister, it will lower the density from high to medium and set a three storey limit on all buildings and houses.

The rally had hundreds of residents dressed in blue and green to represent the Dunsborough bay and trees.

Many people also carried signs and posters with slogans such as “This is wrong on so many levels”, “High rise, hell no”, and “fix this mess, say yes minister.”

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said it was important to keep the coastal town atmosphere.

“I think there’s certainly a desire of the community to retain some of the small coastal town vibe,” he said.

“We’ve seen that in other communities throughout Australia like Byron Bay and other towns, where they’ve sort of set height limits, which recognise the need for development, but also respect the place in the industry where it’s built.”

Dunsborough Progress Association president Jacquie Happ also spoke at the rally.

“We know that there are two five-storey buildings that have been approved, we know others are on the way and we need to do something quickly,” she said.

“We can’t give up, we must fight to preserve what is best for our town, we want to embrace growth, but it must be sensibly managed growth, growth that doesn’t kill.”

“We must persuade the minister to approve the amendment. Write to the minister yourselves and tell her why you think Dunsborough is special and needs her support. Ask the minister to say yes and approve without changes.”

A statement by Opposition Leader Libby Mettam was read on her behalf as she could not make it to the rally.

“Following the application for several proposed new developments that far exceed the height of existing structures within the current town centre, the community and other key stakeholders have raised numerous valid concerns about the environmental, social and cultural impacts that would occur should they proceed,“ it read.

“As the responsible minister, I ask you favourably to consider the City of Busselton amendment 52 and Dunsborough’s precinct structure plan, which reflects the broader community support for retaining the charm and appeal of this coastal community town.”

Ms Saffioti was contacted for comment.