An unacceptable development that ignores the rules
“Will have unacceptable landscape and environmental impacts.”
City of Busselton
When the rules for development at Smiths Beach were established more than 15 years ago, they were very clear.
Any development was to be confined to a defined 16.39ha envelope of land. The ecologically sensitive western headland area was not to be developed and its visual amenity – a key aspect of the character of Smiths Beach – was to be preserved.
The rules for development were agreed upon by the State, the local council and, importantly, the community. The community is a critical stakeholder at Smiths Beach, having rallied in the early 2000s to defeat a previous unacceptable development proposal.
IGNORING COMMUNITY WISHES
Unfortunately, the proponents of the current development proposal for Smiths Beach do not want to play by the rules that have been so clearly outlined. Nor do they seem to care what the community thinks – an attitude that is betrayed by both the nature of their proposal and the manner in which it is being progressed.
The proposal is a full 44% bigger than what is allowable under law. The project would not only extend into the headland but remove more than 7.31 additional hectares of natural habitat in doing so, bushland that is home to echidnas, kangaroos, black cockatoos and other native species. A 100m seawall is the latest unwelcome ‘new’ feature of a development that would alter Smiths Beach forever.
Moreover, the developers have chosen not to progress their so-called ‘sensitive coastal village’ through normal planning processes. Instead, they elected to have the project assessed by the State Development Assessment Unit (SDAU), a ‘temporary’ body introduced during the COVID-19 period, which – for reasons unexplained – is still open to developers today.
The SDAU is not bound to follow state or local planning laws, including those that apply to Smiths Beach.
PROFIT AHEAD OF THE BEACH
Although the reasons for the SDAU remaining operational post-pandemic are not clear, there is no mystery in why the Smiths Beach developers have sought to use it: they want to maximise profits while giving the community as little of a say as possible.
Why stick to the rules about the western headland when you can just bypass them and add an extra $50 million to your development? Why bother about endangered native species when there is a hotel and luxury homes to be built and profits to be made?
Why let the public know about an ugly seawall that will devour the Kiddies Corner section of the beach when you can just hide project details in the shadowy processes of the SDAU?
The Smiths Beach Action Group and its community supporters do not oppose all development at Smiths Beach. What we ask is that developers abide by long-established legislation and properly consult with the community in advancing their project.
Surely that isn't too much to expect?
Please show your support for Smiths Beach by emailing the relevant WA Government Ministers, signing up to our mailing list or following us and engaging with our content on the social media platforms detailed below. And please tell your friends and family!
PLEASE ALSO JOIN US TO STAND TALL AGAINST THE WALL!
We are hosting a special event on Easter Sunday, 11am at Smiths Beach, to overtake the 2900m2 seawall area with surfboards.
Bring your favorite surfboard, body board, knee board, even a goat boat if that is your craft! The waves and the beach are for the people not for profit. See you at Smiths on Easter Sunday.