Business Focus

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Business Focus May 2016 5
B C C I Our Newest Gold Member
Member
Profile
ContemporaryArtGalleryForThought
The City of Bunbury recently undertook
a community survey around the proposed
Cultural Precinct and Multilevel Car Park
on the existing South’s car park.
Undercover multilevel parking on this
site will be a great addition however I
don’t think the proposed retail space is
the best use of the space on the ground
level, which in the CBD would be better
concentrated on existing retail areas
including Victoria Street.
A higher use and significant plus for the
city would be a contemporary art gallery
that would enable us to showcase some
of the pieces in the City of Bunbury Art
Collection which are mostly packed away
and unseen by the public.
It would also enable us to showcase some
of the fantastic private collections in our
region as well as travelling exhibitions that
may be accessible from time to time.
It would link well with the street art
created through Andrew Frasers’
Rediscover Bunbury and could contribute
significantly to the sustainability of the
Bunbury Regional Art Galleries (BRAG).
I would suggest that BRAG should
also run the only café on the site as an
additional income stream and perhaps a
rooftop greenspace that could double as a
contemplative experience, events location
and evening rooftop bar.
Arts and culture are a significant
economic opportunity in our region as
they have been in other locations such
as Tasmania where the MONA Gallery
has been a major contributor to tourist
visitation. So a multilevel car park is good
but a purpose designed contemporary art
gallery with a multilevel car park could be
great for our city and region.
Can you think of a business you have all
heard of, which operates four local stores
with 530 employees in the Bunbury area?
That business is McDonald’s and the
Chamber is pleased to introduce franchisee
David Eagles as the newest Gold Member
of the Chamber.
David is originally from Sydney and he
started out as a youngster flipping burgers
for Macca’s.
After 13 years working his way up the
ranks on the east coast he became a
franchise consultant, and then he headed
west in 2009 to run the Esperance
store. Within five years the store had
100 employees and David had become
president of the Esperance Chamber of
Commerce.
By 2014 the Eagles decided it was time to
head further west. They moved to Bunbury
and through a series of acquisitions they
now own four local stores – Parks Centre,
Bunbury Forum, Treendale and the latest
addition in Dalyellup.
Through his career David has seen the
business move with the times, with the
McCafes introduced in the 1990’s and
coffee now a large component of the
business. While healthier options such as
salads have been introduced to the menu,
David acknowledges some of the food is
for convenience, special occasions or a
treat once a week.
When Dalyellup opened in November
2015 it revealed the first Burger Bar in the
State, where customers can choose their
burger ingredients.
As a Chamber Member and former
president of the Esperance Chamber,
David has an affinity with Chambers of
Commerce, and sees them as a conduit
between business and government.
“They are a fantastic networking
organisation, both formally and informally,
and can address trade issues,” he said.
“I’ve made some great contacts through
the Chamber.”
Running a seven-day-a-week business
means McDonalds requires the support of
many local businesses including tradies
and landscapers.
“We support local businesses so we use
locals unless no-one can do the job, so
then we go to Perth, but overwhelmingly
the majority of our expenditure goes to
local businesses,” he said.
President David Kerr
South West Tourist Services (SWTS)
is a Bunbury-based operator providing
tours to scenic destinations in the
Geographe, South West, Great
Southern, Mandurah-Peel and Perth-
Fremantle regions.
As a small business SWTS is flexible
about personalising tours and will pick-
up passengers in a quiet, comfortable
passenger van at their homes or hotels
within the Greater Bunbury area.
Brian says the Bunbury Geographe
Region offers a unique blend of
beaches, dolphins, art galleries, scenic
forests, gnomes, wineries, breweries,
cideries, restaurants, orchards,
biodynamic/organic farms, charming
country towns with character and
affordable accommodation and farm
stays.
Tours range from five hours up to four
days including accommodation. SWTS
specialise in one-day Wine Tours to the
Ferguson Valley, Geographe, Margaret
River and Cape Naturaliste wine
regions.
Packaged tours are listed on the website
Brian’s vision is to provide exceptional
value to local residents, their families
and friends, and to visitors to our
region.
“Let’s Tour the South West!”
Brian Rettinger -
South West Tourist
Services