The City of Busselton council rejected a bid to hold a referendum to determine if the community supported the development of a performing arts and convention centre.
A motion calling for the referendum was raised at an Elector's Meeting on February 8 by the Bay 2 Bay Action Group which is opposed to the development.
B2BAG president Anne Ryan said it was disappointing but not surprising and that it was their belief the council knew the outcome would be a resounding no from the community.
"Any such referendum would have come cheap compared to the $1 million already spent and a $30 million project," she said.
"Community surveys have consistently said they do not see the performing arts and convention centre as a priority, yet the council maintain it has been in their strategic plan.
"The 2017 Catalyse Community Survey said that only 9 per cent of the community wanted a performing arts centre, yet 19 per cent felt the Vasse River was more important."
Councillors considered the motion and resolved not to undertake a referendum and to proceed with the development subject to further consideration of construction tenders once the tender process has closed.
The alternative motion raised by Jo Barrett-Leonard was supported 7-1, with councillor Sue Ricelli voting against it.
Mayor Grant Henley said that the development was based on planning undertaken over a 13 year period and was backed by a strong business plan.
"Broad consultation has been undertaken since the project was first included on the City's strategic plan in 2010", he said.
"Council is well informed and has heard from the community."
Deputy Mayor Kelly Hick reminded those present that council had already engaged in a deliberative democratic process on the matter.
She urged fellow councillors not to make large infrastructure decisions based on a referendum.
"We are elected to make decisions after extensive community consultation, due diligence and budget assessment," she said.
"We've done the homework, we've done the listening and we need to get on with the job we've been tasked to", she said.
"A referendum is a blunt tool. It is not definitive nor is it binding. A referendum is non-inclusive and not conclusive. It is, in effect, a pointless exercise."
Councillor Phil Cronin further noted that as a member of the working group, he had spent the last 1.5 years researching the development, undertaking site visits to similar venues and asking the tough questions around viability and potential cost savings.
"Talking to experts in the field we've learnt a lot about design and functionality. We were advised to build a multi-purpose centre, to ensure the chairs were comfortable and to build for the view," he said.
Mr Cronin said since the motion to hold a referendum had been raised, he and other councillors had received numerous calls and emails from many community groups urging council to stand by its commitment to develop a dedicated facility for the performing arts.
"We have spent so much money on sports facilities, it's now time to invest in the arts" he said.
Councillor Paul Carter said that given the City did not go to referendum to progress other large capital developments such as the Busselton Margaret River Airport, the Civic Administration Centre or Busselton Foreshore Redevelopment, there was no precedent to progress with a referendum on the issue of the BPACC.
"We have a strong business case and information about the project has been shared with the community," he said.
"We've been waiting for two decades to progress this centre, it's time to get on with the job."
While the city has made a decision to progress with the project, a hold point at the end of the tender process exists.
Should construction tenders exceed the project budget, Council will re-consider the future of the development. The tender process should be completed by June 2021.
