Wallcliffe House project open for consultation

Consultation has started for the Wallcliffe House redevelopment project which split the community earlier this year. The scheme amendment paving the way for a development application to build a luxury hotel and other services at the historic riverfront site is open to public comment until July 17, while the proponents — mining heiress and Voyager Estate owner Alexandra Burt and husband Julian — have launched their own consultation, as promised during debate. The consultation period comes as news broke this week of a rival $100 million five-star resort at the defunct Gnarabup Beach Estate site. The Wallcliffe House project has strong support from Margaret River’s business sector, but conservationists and several councillors have flagged serious concerns about protecting the site’s habitat and unique links to the region’s Aboriginal and settlement history. The Times understands reconstruction of Wallcliffe House itself, destroyed in the 2011 bushfires, was not permitted under WA planning laws. Through a spokeswoman, Mrs Burt said she and her husband remained committed to redeveloping the site, despite a major downturn in international and luxury tourism, after telling councillors the proposed development was needed to see any action occur. “The pandemic has had significant social and economic impacts for Australia and the rest of the world, however, given the current status of the Wallcliffe House scheme amendment, it hasn’t as yet impacted any timelines,” she said. “We ... can’t say with any certainty of the timing of a development application — we are taking it one step at a time.” The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River is seeking submissions from residents for the proposed zoning change, but the Burts — in addition to the Wallcliffe House blog — will hold webinars for residents from June 23-25. The webinars would offer “an understanding of the project and … the owners’ vision for the site, high-level masterplan, heritage and environmental considerations” plus details of the process. Questions can be posted in advance via wallcliffehouse blog.com. Mrs Burt said residents were encouraged to share stories of Wallcliffe House “so we can continue to add to the rich history of the site”. She said it was too soon to know how the pandemic would affect the high-end market. “Australia is likely to remain an attractive destination for people, as will smaller-scale, less-crowded destinations,” she said. “All we do know is that there are bound to be plenty of changes in the next year or so whilst the hotel is in development.”