The Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) is appealing the WA Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) recommendation to approve the Gnarabup Resort and is calling for the project to be shelved due to unresolved environmental concerns.
The five-star $138 million luxury resort was ‘cleared’ for approval by the EPA in late May, and a public appeals period will conclude today, June 18. Following this, WA Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn will make a final decision on this EPA assessment process.
CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts said that despite the “veneer of strict conditions”, the Saracen Properties development on Wallcliffe Road at Gnarabup headland, would be a poor outcome.
“This much-loved and iconic headland off WA’s South West coastline, just near Margaret River, holds incredibly important ecological values,” Mr Roberts said.
“CCWA stands alongside Preserve Gnarabup, Surfriders Foundation South West branch, and the local community in calling on Minister Swinbourn to put a halt to this inappropriate development. Ultimately, it poses unacceptable impacts and risks to the environment.
“West Australians want to see pristine coastline like this protected, particularly given the increasing stress on flora and fauna in the region due to the ongoing impacts of climate change. This is backed up by more than 2,600 submissions that were made as part of the development’s public review period.
“Statewide, we need stronger protections in place to avoid the clearing of native vegetation that forms habitat for significant fauna, including critically endangered Western Ringtail Possums, endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoos and other species of national conservation significance.
“In yet another example where our nature laws are failing WA’s environment, EPA chair Darren Walsh admitted the project would change the natural landscape and character of the area, which includes disrupting ecological connectivity to other locations in the Gnarabup and Prevelly region, such as the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park and the Ngari Capes Marine Park.
“This is inconsistent with the DCCEEW Recovery Plans for both Western Ringtail Possums and Carnaby Cockatoos in failing to address habitat loss and fragmentation as significant threatening processes.”
Mr Roberts said the resort would influence bushfire behaviour along that part of the coastline, which could in-turn impact vegetation and conservation significant wildlife species.
“The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has opposed the project due to bushfire risks at the site worsened by a single road in and out of Prevelly-Gnarabup, and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River is looking at a possible appeal of the EPA’s decision,” he said.
Tom Dowling of local campaign group Preserve Gnarabup said the development was overscale and inappropriate for its sensitive and culturally important site.
“Along with the Western Ringtail Possums, Carnaby’s Cockatoos and Hooded Plovers, our community and people from around the State who love to visit Gnarabup will pay the cost of this overscale development,” Mr Dowling said.
“This area is the one safe and protected swimming beach on the Margaret River coast and is at capacity for human use without impacting the wildlife that breeds and forages here.
“We call on the Appeals Convenor, EPA and Minister to consider the impact of an additional 1,500 people trying to access the coast on the existing informal tracks or ageing coastal infrastructure.
“We ask them to consider the incorrect and inadequate flora and fauna surveys, geological and groundwater information put forward by the developer. We ask them to refuse to allow the development to spill over into Crown land reserves and clear publicly owned pristine native coastal heath.
“We also call on them to consider the increased sewerage from these 1,500 people that will be sent to the Gnarabup waste water treatment plant which is already failing and leaking into the groundwater and ocean at Gas Bay, and the leaching of irrigation fertilizer from lawns and gardens into the Gnarabup Bay and Ngari Capes Marine Park.
“This area is important as breeding ground of the endangered Hooded Plover and other migratory and non-migratory birds.
“While the EPA’s conditions include height limitsand some guidance on minimising impacts on the habitat of migratory shorebirds, there is nothing in place to properly police these risks.
“Together with CCWA, we call on Minister Swinbourn to reject the development based on unacceptable risks to the environment, unaddressed bushfire risks, erosion risks to a sensitive coastal area, and the inadequate consideration of the environmental effects of overdevelopment at the Gnarabup.”
Media contacts:
John Cooke – CCWA Media Advisor – 0433 679 780
Tom Dowling – Preserve Gnarabup – 0406 711 410
Find out more about Preserve Gnarabup here