Gracetown project gathers momentum with first meeting

23/8/05
Plans for a limited tourist and residential development at Gracetown continue to gather momentum, with the first meeting of the newly-formed Gracetown Development Investigation Reference Group yesterday.
The inaugural meeting followed the Gallop Government's July announcement that Cabinet had provided in-principle support for limited tourist and residential development at Gracetown, together with significant infrastructure improvements and additions to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said she was pleased the project was finally under way after several years of uncertainty.
"With Cabinet signing off on the scale and the general areas for development, along with its committment to the conservation and infrastructure initiatives, we can now work with the local shire and the community on detailed planning for the development," Ms MacTiernan said.
The Minister has appointed her Parliamentary Secretary and South West MLC Adele Farina as the chair of the reference group to provide local input into that planning.
Reference Group representatives include the Augusta-Margaret River Shire president, Gracetown Progress Association, Landcorp, Department for Planning and Infrastructure and the Department of Conservation and Land Management.
Ms Farina said the reference group had adopted an inception report and terms of reference that would guide its input into the detailed planning study which would now commence.
"While Landcorp will manage the project, the reference group will participate in community consultation and design, and development, refinement and implementation of an outline development plan," she said.
"The reference group will also make recommendations to Government on the expenditure of revenue on suitable conservation and infrastructure initiatives in the district.
"These initiatives are over and above the infrastructure works including sewerage, water and power that will be part of the development costs."
Ms Farina said the progress association had expressed concern about the potential impact on the existing hall, tennis courts, oval and other community facilities located within the area identified for investigation of tourist accommodation.
She said the reference group noted the views of the progress association and would investigate options for integrating tourist development adjacent to the existing recreation and community facilities. However, relocation of some or all recreation facilities in other parts of the town would also be considered.
"We are very conscious of the need to conserve the social hub of the town and to carefully link new development with the existing town," Ms Farina said.
Landcorp will now prepare the detailed planning program including consultation with Gracetown landowners and the wider community for consideration by the reference group at its next meeting.
The Gracetown project is part of the Gallop Government's commitment to improving services and lifestyle for the Western Australian community.
Minister's office: 9213 6400