Revamp plan to save the Nautical Lady

Plans for the redevelopment of the Nautical Lady have been brought to the fore by Busselton resident David Couch, who says he has a "workable alternative" for the City of Busselton to consider.

Mr Couch was set to address councillors on Wednesday night during a public access session with his plans for the landmark building, which include keeping the structure and updating it.

Mr Couch, who was also the designer and builder behind the initial Nautical Lady Entertainment World, said his proposal for the City gave the tower a "total makeover".

"It's an alternative to knocking it down completely and having nothing," he said.

"I'm definitely hopeful of a positive outcome.

"It's going to solve a lot of problems."

Mr Couch's plans for the building include the relocation of Railway House to the west side of Stanley Street, moving the microbrewery 30m west and "paring back" the lighthouse's connecting building to a single storey.

He also wants to move the existing western wall of the lighthouse inward to create a veranda and move the Simmo's ice cream kiosk, which is currently located in an adjoining building, into the base of structure.

Mr Couch said the plan had "obvious community benefits", including retaining "majestic elevated views" and public toilet blocks close to the jetty.

City of Busselton Mayor Ian Stubbs reiterated the council's position on the Nautical Lady this week, and said the councillors "stood united" in the decision to demolish the building.

Cr Stubbs told the Times it was "most unlikely" any proposals could change the outcome.

"If David Couch is so hell-bent on wanting to preserve this building, why did he sell it knowing that it was going to be removed?" he said.

Mr Couch, however, said he did not know the building was going to be demolished and told the Times if he did, he would not have "passed it back" to the City.

"I hope the council does reconsider its present stance and listens to the cry of the people," he said.

"At the moment, democracy isn't happening in this issue."

Mr Couch said saving the Nautical Lady would mean the $2.4 million of ratepayers' funds used to buy back the tower would not be wasted, as well as the further funds needed conduct a class-one demolition of the building.