Water Corporation to sell Margaret River town centre depot for housing

The Water Corporation is seeking to rezone its vacant town centre works site and pave the way for a high-density housing project in Margaret River. The decision to advertise went through at the October 12 Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council meeting, with elected members keen on the prospect of adding more homes to the town centre. Deputy shire president Julia Meldrum said the project was “a great opportunity for some urban in-fill close to town”. Planning consultant Larry Guise said rezoning the site would enable the agency to sell the land to an appropriate developer. He said infrastructure from the old depot had been removed and the land was surplus to the Water Corporation’s needs. The site could accommodate up to 10 new homes but is next to a lot zoned for tourism and falls within the town centre zone permitting short-stay accommodation. “Given the central location of the subject site, the proposal presents an important opportunity to better utilise this well-located land for housing,” an officer’s report said. “It is considered that this site presents a unique opportunity in that it is much larger than surrounding properties, with all requisite services available and close proximity to the townsite.” The rezoning will be advertised for public comment.