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Rezoning lifts tourist park hopes

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

Gingin Shire councillors unanimously agreed on March 17 to rezone land on Casserley Way to a special use zone.

Shire president Michael Aspinall said that use would enable development of a tourist facility with camp sites, caravans, chalets and eco-friendly holiday accommodation.

"The scheme amendment proposal generated a significant number of public submissions which were presented to council for consideration," he said.

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�Despite a greater number of submissions in opposition to the scheme amendment, council's decision to accept the proposal was based on the merit of strong planning arguments.

"Special conditions and management strategies were listed within the amended schedule to clearly indicate council's due consideration for the concerns raised by the submission process."

Cr Aspinall said the tourist park would be a boost for Lancelin.

"It will create much-needed employment, business and tourism opportunities and our councillors have been fully committed to supporting the economic viability of the town," he said.

Before the development starts, plans will be required to address foreshore management, flora and fauna, water management and coastal management.

"In addition, there are requirements to address amenity issues such as traffic management and protection of views," he said.

"Inclusion of these provisions will be a demonstration that council has listened to feedback from the submission process as well as the planning arguments it was presented with."

The Shire will send the decision, public submissions and other documentation to the WA Planning Commission for consideration, who will then make a recommendation to the Planning Minister before the change of use can take effect.

However, with more than 1800 Likes, the Lancelin Save Our Back Beach page said it would continue the fight to protect the foreshore and criticised the council for ignoring staff advice to exclude dunes in the south-east of the site.

"This represents the thin edge of the wedge for development in our remanent coastal plains and it needs to be stopped," it posted.

"(The councillors) ignored their own planning officers advice and pushed through a vote which will see this sensitive dunal and bush interface destroyed. This is far from over."

Garnering more than 1100 Likes, the Lancelin Tourist Park Support facebook page welcomed the council decision.