Gnarabup resort delays confirmed as approval process considers Environmental Protection Authority review

State Government authorities have confirmed it could be a long wait for a final decision on the Saracen Property Group’s proposed resort and village development at Gnarabup. Responding to inquiries from the Times, agencies said the proposed Westin Margaret River Spa and Resort project – which includes a de facto village and small-scale commercial centre at the coast – is pending on the developer’s response to the Environmental Protection Authority’s public environmental review. EPA chairman Professor Matthew Tonts said further consultation was also expected once the developer submits a formal environmental review document coming from the first round of community feedback on the proposal. “At this stage of the assessment process it is difficult to advise of a timeframe as the timing is dependent on the submission of the ERD by the proponent and following advertising, the proponent’s response to submissions,” Prof Tonts said. At a Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council briefing session on February 23, planning and regulatory services manager Matt Cuthbert said other background processes plus the EPA review meant a 12-month delay for any decision was likely. That included background work looking at the need for a second road to Gnarabup-Prevelly — with the route already endorsed by the Shire — and studies by the Water Corporation on the capacity of Gnarabup’s wastewater treatment plant and options for connecting to Margaret River’s bigger system. Prof Tonts said the developer’s review document would be subject to a further four-week public assessment. “The EPA will then begin drafting its assessment report to the Minister for Environment, which will include recommendations on whether or not the proposal should be implemented, and if so, any implementation conditions,” he said. “The EPA’s report will be subject to appeal.” A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage spokesperson for the WA Planning Commission said the Shire’s feedback – which could not offer an endorsement due to “ambiguity” around key points including bushfire planning, parking, a minor height limit variation, and the lack of second access to Gnarabup – would be considered along with submissions from others in its final determination. WAPC alone would make the judgement under Part 17 of the Planning and Development Act 2005. “There is no timeline for the determination of this application,” the spokesperson said. “However, the commission cannot make a decision that would allow the proposal to be implemented until such time as the Public Environmental Review process is complete and any Ministerial Statement has been issued.” The EPA review was triggered through a push by protest group Preserve Gnarabup which opposes any decision on the project until key ambiguities are resolved. Developer Joel Saraceni said no approvals were anticipated until early 2023 at the soonest, but the proponent said WA’s construction market was “overheated” and not favourable at present.