Draft plan for development of North West Cape released

9/4/98

Rigorous planning will ensure the natural beauty of the North West Cape is preserved for future generations, Planning Minister Graham Kierath said in Exmouth today.

"The North West Cape is on the threshold of an exciting future so we must plan carefully to ensure the proper direction that will see growth proceeding in an orderly manner," Mr Kierath said.

The Minister released for public comment a draft plan that steers direction for the region's development over the next 30 years.

He said the Exmouth-Learmonth North West Cape Structure Plan aimed to explore and evaluate the region's opportunities for tourist, recreation, residential, commercial and industrial potential and ensure service land was available for development.

"We want to achieve a balance between preserving a fragile, pristine environment and accommodating an influx of visitors who want to experience all that the region has to offer," Mr Kierath said.

Both the environment and community services were coming under increasing pressure, especially from the growing numbers of tourists from other parts of Australia and overseas.

This effectively doubled the cape's population from 2,000 to around 4,000 during the mid-winter to late spring peak-season.

"We want to ensure that major tourist development is appropriately located in serviced areas and that opportunities exist for a range of accommodation types," Mr Kierath said.

"Among other priorities are the need to retain the region's wilderness value and to conserve and preserve land that has environmental value."

Mr Kierath said the draft plan envisaged controlled residential and tourism development proceeding on the eastern side of the Cape to the north and south of the townsite.

If development was centred in and around Exmouth, then other areas, especially the west coast, could be preserved in their natural state.

The Minister said the Department of Land Administration had 31 residential lots ready for release to the north-west of the town.

Sufficient land was available only for a further 62 lots on that side of town due to the rugged terrain, limited water supply and the Commonwealth Naval Communications Station.

A marina residential development had also been proposed close to the new Exmouth boat harbour, about 3km south-east of the townsite. The subdivision could have between 750 and 1,500 residential lots and include tourist resort accommodation.

Mr Kierath said the draft plan would be open for public comment until July 3.

"I want to stress that it is vital that we receive input from as broad a cross-section of residents and visitors as possible," he said.

"We will be looking for comment from local residents, business, rural landowners, holiday homeowners, visitors from both within and outside WA, and others who have an interest in this region."

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9481 2133