Town Planning Scheme Amendment

To ensure appropriate land use zoning and high level planning controls are in place to guide our proposed residential development at Gracetown, we are seeking an amendment to the Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s District Town Planning Scheme 11.

TPS Amendment 175 (TPS 175) will seek to change the zoning of the land from “Parks and Recreation” to “Future Development Zone” to facilitate our 14ha residential expansion of the town and it was intended that this would be advertised by the local council in October this year.

However, after discussions with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and the Department of Planning, it was decided to defer the advertising of TPS 175 until the new Local Planning Scheme No. 1 and Local Planning Strategy for Augusta-Margaret River is approved through the relevant authorities. This is expected to occur in early 2010.

Once Local Planning Scheme No. 1 is gazetted by the Government, we will then ask the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River to re-initiate the amendment (175) for Gracetown, ensuring the vision for Gracetown aligns with the future direction of the Shire.

The Environmental Review which was completed in June 2009 for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is also now on hold and will be reassessed by the EPA in 2010 for release at the same time as the amendment.

About the Public Environmental Review

Developments such as the one proposed for Gracetown are subject to a comprehensive assessment by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in relation to possible environmental impacts.

We have undertaken a range of environmental studies and prepared management plans for the Environmental Review document.  This document will be released by the EPA for public comment around the time the TPS 175 is advertised.

The Environmental Review includes information on how our residential development aims to:

• Manage and protect animals and plants within the town-site
• Manage surface and ground water
• Ensure the proposed development fits in with the topography and ground conditions
• Protect Aboriginal heritage and the adjoining national park

We are required to address any issues and matters raised during the Environmental Review public consultation and include responses to the satisfaction of the EPA.

The EPA will assess the Environmental Review document; public submissions; our responses; obtain advice from any other persons it considers appropriate; and submit its report to the Minister for Environment for final endorsement.

Community Information Sessions

To assist you in preparing your submissions on TPS 175 and the Environmental Review, we will be holding community information sessions at Gracetown and Perth to coincide with the amendment’s advertising period by the Shire.

These sessions will provide up-to-date information about our development plans, including proposed traffic management solutions and infrastructure and servicing improvements for the whole township.

We will be in contact with the community and stakeholders when planning for these consultation events are finalised.

Recycled water infrastructure

Our proposal for a self sustaining recycled non-potable water system for Gracetown is subject to wide-ranging ongoing community consultation.

We will be talking with landowners, residents, businesses and other stakeholders as the water proposal undergoes a separate licensing
application in 2010.

Soil and groundwater testing

In October 2007, January 2008 and May 2009 we tested the soil and groundwater to identify the extent of the potential contamination within and adjacent to our development area. The site investigations primarily focused on the former landfill and quarry sites adjacent to the proposed residential area.

Test sites also included undisturbed areas so we could set a baseline for the soil conditions common to the area.

Soil testing results have clarified the extent of fill material and composition as primarily inert building waste and rubble with low levels of pesticides detected at two sites. Levels of chromium detected were assessed to be naturally occurring due to natural processes of mineralisation common to the area.

During other site investigations we also found some asbestos sheeting which had been dumped on the corner of Salter and Langley streets.

We will need to dispose of the surface asbestos material and report this to the Department of Environment and Conservation.

Five groundwater monitoring wells were installed around the town to test for contaminates such as hydrocarbons and pesticides.  Results show that the groundwater has not been significantly impacted by landfill on these sites.

Bacterial contamination, most likely from septic tanks and leach drains was detected in one bore but is not considered to pose a significant risk.  All bores showed some elevated levels of salinity, and nutrients which were also to be expected given the proximity to the coast and septic tanks.

These results will inform site management and construction plans for the project, including appropriate disposal of material where required. Soil contamination from the landfill areas does not pose a threat to existing or future residents, or workers, and will be managed during the construction phase to eliminate any potential issues.

National Park land transfer

The State Government’s proposal to expand the town with a 14 hectare residential subdivision included the transfer of surplus town site land to the adjacent Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park. This would ensure the future protection of the biodiversity values so important to the region.

This transfer will be managed through State Land Services which is part of the Department of Regional Development and Lands.  It is subject to resolution of the native title claim over the land which we expect could take up to 24 months to negotiate.

Where to from here?

Before any development takes place, the proposal is subject to a number of planning stages and we will keep you informed as these key dates approach.