Nature Conservation Margaret River opposes Westin resort proposal at Gnarabup

Nature Conservation Margaret River has come out against the proposed Gnarabup resort and village development, calling on residents this week to lodge their opposition to the project. Under the leadership of new general manager Drew McKenzie, a long-term Nature Conservation staffer and environmental consultant, on Tuesday the group said too many details around the proposed Westin Margaret River Resort & Spa didn’t stack up. “Clearing is proposed across nearly the entire holding and into three surrounding reserves including an A-class reserve, a listed environmentally-sensitive area and confirmed habitat for threatened species,” Mr McKenzie said. “We feel strongly that in 2022 we should be placing a much higher value on our remaining native vegetation, fragile coastal areas and biodiversity. “A development on this site is inconsistent with the community’s expectations and best-practice management required in an area important for local biota and the community,” he said. “The coastal area around Gnarabup is already very popular, under a lot of pressure and in high demand. “So we’re concerned that this will only put more pressure on the existing infrastructure. Ultimately, the cost will be borne by the environment and the local community.” The group also voiced concerns about the capacity of Gnarabup’s sewage treatment plant to cope with any population increase, and the plant “already fails best-practice guidelines due to its proximity to popular beaches and the ocean”. Public comment closes on March 2.