No decision on Westin Margaret River Resort ‘within a year’

One of the Shire’s top planners has warned any decision on the proposed Westin Margaret River Resort & Spa could be months away, if not more than a year. Planning and regulatory services manager Matt Cuthbert last week told councillors a lodgement date for the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s response to the project was immaterial to the final decision — which rests with the WA Planning Commission’s State Development Assessment Unit — because no moves could occur until the Environmental Protection Authority determined its public environmental review of the resort and adjacent village sites. The timeline would also allow background work looking at the need for a second road to Gnarabup-Prevelly — with the route already endorsed by the Shire — and studies under way by the Water Corporation on the capacity of Gnarabup’s wastewater treatment plant and options for dipping it into Margaret River’s bigger system. A Water Corporation spokesperson confirmed options included upgrading the existing Gnarabup Wastewater Treatment Plant or decommissioning it and conveying wastewater to the Margaret River Water Resource Recovery Facility. “Flora and fauna and heritage surveys are complete, and we are awaiting reports from consultants,” the department said. “The current wastewater treatment plant is adequate until 2030 based on normal development activity within the town. “Any changes to the Gnarabup wastewater scheme will be considered if there are any significant changes within the area causing an increase in wastewater volumes.” Studies were also needed to assess the capacity of Gnarabup’s electricity supply to meet the greatly expanded demand, the Shire revealed. Mr Cuthbert also said the State Design Panel, which feeds into the SDAU, would hold one final round of feedback after public comment closed which could result in further changes — although the developer was not obliged to incorporate those notes. Developer Joel Saraceni told the Times the EPA review was expected to take most of the year and any final decision on his project was unlikely to be until early next year.