Community to rally for EPA environmental review of controversial multi-million Smiths Beach project

Capes residents will have an opportunity to rally the Environmental Protection Authority to hold a full environmental review of the highly controversial Smiths Beach coastal village project. Spearheaded by Adrian Fini, the hotly debated project proposes a 65-room hotel, 36 camping spots, a retail centre, surf lifesaving facilities and public amenities within a 19ha footprint. It has been described by supporters as a luxurious village for visitors and locals alike along the famous Cape to Cape walk, celebrating Indigenous culture and the coastline’s natural beauty. But its long history has created waves, with lobby groups claiming the project will be a blight on the unique and much-loved surf break, potentially damaging the neighbouring national park’s flora and fauna. This month the EPA will give locals a seven-day window to say whether the project should be subject to a full environmental review. Smiths Beach Action Group spokesman David Mitchell said a full review was essential as the group believed there were inconsistencies with the current project and previous EPA determinations. “The current proposal contravenes the major recommendations from EPA’s own 2009 report and will result in a significant loss to the future national park, a dramatic increase in visual impact and vegetation loss,” he said. “We call on the EPA to commit to a thorough and transparent investigation and for the public to ensure their voices are heard in calling for the EPA to uphold the previous findings that protect Smiths Beach for future generations. “Questions must be asked of this developer and the planning minister why this development has been allowed to progress through this government’s ‘fast-track’ approvals process despite clearly contravening the last EPA report findings?” In 2009 the land was subject to controversy when development plans not involving Mr Fini were subject to a Corruption and Crime Commission investigation and environmental review, entangling former premier Brian Burke. A spokesperson for the project said Mr Fini and project developers were confident if a full environmental review was performed, having self-referred the proposal to the EPA last year. “The Project Team is confident that its landscape-led design for the proposed coastal village represents a significant environmental improvement on the 2009 proposal and looks forward to the EPA undertaking a new assessment,” he said. “The 2009 EPA assessment was based on the previous owners’ plan which provided no detail of built form. “By contrast, the Smiths Beach Project’s development application is highly detailed, with full designs for all the buildings and infrastructure allowing for an even more informed environmental assessment process.”