Shire of Augusta-Margaret River support for worker village won’t affect approvals process: Meldrum

The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River has scotched concerns of any conflict of interest after advocating for a $1.9 million funding boost for a project it hasn’t approved yet. Last week after the council adopted a set of fresh lobbying targets that included references to a worker accommodation village planned for Cowaramup, which received a State Government funding injection last month. Although worker accommodation was a key item on their priority list, shire president Julia Meldrum said the council was playing an impartial role in the $1.9 million funding boost for the proposed subdivision, which hadn’t yet progressed through approvals. “The structure plan which determines the number, density and location of the workers accommodation is still to be determined,” she confirmed. “The shire won’t be leading this project and there are no conflicts of interest. We’ll fulfil our usual role in assessing and determining the structure plan.” The Goldfields’ plan is for the west of Bussell Highway at the entry to Cowaramup, with the advocacy report specifying road funding was needed to support the project. It also noted the shire had worked with the South West Development Commission “to identify solutions for key worker housing, initially focused on hospitality and agricultural workers”. “This effort led to the identification of a potential housing solution at Lot 102 Bussell Highway, Cowaramup,” the shire report said. “Addressing key worker housing is vital to ensuring that the region’s essential industries, such as healthcare, education, hospitality, and agriculture, can attract and retain the workforce they need. “This initiative represents just one critical component in tackling the broader housing availability and affordability issue, ensuring that key industries in the region can remain viable and supported by an adequate workforce.” Goldfields State director Gareth Wilson said the company had a “positive working relationship” with the shire. “This builds upon the earlier and ongoing success of our Spindrift residential development in Margaret River,” he said. “The shire has publicly recognised the need for housing of all types in the region and have been supportive of funding applications that benefit the wider community. “Future development on Goldfields’ landholdings remain subject to the relevant approvals.”