Concern over West Street kangaroos future

Last week the Mail asked residents what stores they would like to see in the centre after developer, Erceg Manage­ment Pty Ltd said they could begin building in December providing the City of Busselton approved their application.

The discussion led to concerns over how the hundreds of kangaroos grazing on the proposed lot would be moved. 

Erceg Management director Allan Erceg said feedback was very important to to him when planning facilities which the community wanted and the kangaroos would be moved to neighbouring wetlands.

A Parks and Wildlife spokesperson said the department had never relocated kangaroos from conservation reserves and any decision to do so would be made after careful consideration regarding all of the environmental factors. 

"The proposed West Street development is on private property and would be subject to a development approval,"  a spokesperson said. 

"As part of that process, the developer will be required to develop and implement a kangaroo management plan before the department will issue an appropriate license."

The centre is proposed to be built south of the existing Busselton Toyota premises and once development approval is granted for building a Kmart Mr Ecreg said they would commence marketing and leasing the other buildings.

Suggestions from the community about what stores they would like to see in the complex include J B Hifi, Aldi, Boost Juice, Typo, a Farmers Market and a Cotton On.

Mr Erceg said he believed most of the facilities mentioned by the community could be accommodated in the centre.

"We hope we can work closely with the City of Busselton to deliver them as soon as possible.”

Mr Ecreg said it was very pleasing to know, after waiting for so long, the community was excited about the new development.

“It will be a significant source of employment to the local community both during construction and post construction,” he said.