PLANS FOR GRACETOWN TOURISM SITE ON HOLD
As a valued member or associate of our Gracetown community, we thought you should be one of the first to know that we've decided to put on hold our investigations into a potential tourism accommodation site in the town.
We will be withdrawing the Town Planning Scheme Amendment 198 from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, which proposed limited low rise eco-style tourist accommodation on a 1.45ha site near the town’s oval on Salter Street.
The decision follows discussions we’ve had with the Minister for Lands, Brendon Grylls and the Member for South West Region, Barry House regarding our preliminary investigations into the site to date, including advice from the Shire, Government agencies such as Tourism WA, key stakeholders and feedback from the general community.
Although the investigations for an affordable eco-style tourism facility were still in the very early stages, we did listen to - and take on-board - the initial community concerns that were expressed either directly to us, or through the Shire and local media.
I would like to mention at this point that today’s announcement does not preclude future investigation into a tourism site of an appropriate location and scale, in consultation, of course, with the Shire and greater community. Until that time the site, which is Crown land, will remain zoned as parks and recreation in the local scheme for continuing community use.
In the meantime we would like to assure you of our commitment to the proposed residential development which will contribute solutions for the continuing water, sewerage and power limitations faced by the township.
The residential development is set to become an Australian benchmark in sustainable design, in line with the principles the Gracetown community supports so well. Already the development is coming to national attention, and it is important for all of us to continue to work together to achieve outcomes of which we – and future generations - can be immensely proud.
We will continue to work closely with the Gracetown Progress Association and the greater community, the local authority, government bodies and other key stakeholders to help shape the progress of Gracetown.
You can be assured that the Gracetown community will have further opportunity to comment once the structure plan and scheme amendment for the residential site are advertised for public comment later this year.
We will continue to keep you informed and if you have any queries, or would like more information on LandCorp’s proposals at Gracetown please email: gracetown@landcorp.com.au, call the project information line on 1300 730 594 or visit www.gracetown.landcorp.com.au.
Yours sincerely
Dale Page
Business Manager South West and Great Southern
LandCorp
