Development Application – Hotel, commercial and residential development, Gnarabup

1. Why is the WAPC the determining authority for this application?

The application has been lodged under Part 17 of the Planning and Development Act 2005 (PD Act), which has temporarily established the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) as the decision-making authority for significant development applications to support the State’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Find out more about the pathway on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.

2. How will the application be assessed? 

The development application will undergo a transparent and rigorous assessment by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, including design review, extensive public consultation and referrals to relevant stakeholders including the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.  

This assessment will focus on matters such as design quality, building height and density, visual and environmental impacts, bushfire management, Aboriginal heritage, coastal erosion, servicing (noting the capacity and location of Gnarabup’s wastewater treatment plant), parking and traffic impacts, landscaping and public access to the beach.

Read more about consultation in the significant development pathway FAQs.

3. How does a review by the Environmental Protection Authority impact the development assessment process?

Proposals likely to have a significant effect on the environment, referred to as “significant proposals”, are referred to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for environmental impact assessment. Once the EPA has received a valid referral, it invites public comments on whether or not it should assess the proposal and, if so, the level of assessment.

View the EPA assessment process.

Assessment of an application for significant development can continue while a review is undertaken by the EPA, including consultation with the public and relevant State and local government stakeholders. 

However, the Western Australian Planning Commission is constrained from making a decision on the application until the EPA has completed its review and the Minister for Environment has made a decision about whether the proposed development should be allowed to proceed. The Commission is unable to make a decision that would be contrary to any Ministerial Statement issued in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

4. What is the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) review process?

In December 2021, the EPA determined to assess the Gnarabup hotel, commercial and residential development proposal at the level of Public Environmental Review (PER).

The next step will be for the proponent to submit an Environmental Scoping Document for the review, which will be subject to a two-week public review period and EPA approval. An Environmental Review Document will then be prepared, and once accepted by the EPA, released for a four-week public review period. 

The EPA will then begin drafting its assessment report to the Minister for Environment, which will include recommendations about whether or not the proposal should be implemented, and if so, any implementation conditions. The EPA’s report is subject to appeal by the applicant or a community member. The Minister for Environment will ultimately determine whether the proposal should be allowed to proceed under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. 

More information can be found at the EPA Gnarabup Tourism Development website.

5. If I make a submission on the development application, will my comments be shared with the EPA? 

No, submissions to the WAPC are confidential and will not be provided to the EPA. Similarly, the EPA will not provide public submissions on the PER process to the WAPC. 

The development application assessment and PER are independent processes under separate legislation, so individual submissions need to be made to the WAPC and EPA on the material that is being advertised by each agency for public comment.  

6. How do I make a submission if I cannot do so using the Department’s online Consultation Hub platform?

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage strongly encourages interested parties to lodge a submission through the Consultation Hub to ensure it is received and properly recorded. You do not have to create an account to make an online submission, you can add attachments to your submission and your submission is confidential. If you have digital access issues that prevent you from doing so, please contact the Department on 6551 9450 for assistance. You can also post your written submission to: Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, State Development Assessment Unit, Locked Bag 2506, Perth WA 6001.

7. When will this application be determined?
There are no timeframes under the temporary significant development assessment pathway for the WAPC to determine an application. 

Once a meeting date is confirmed, everyone who made a submission will be advised and can attend the meeting in person or virtually via Zoom and also can apply to be considered to make a presentation to the WAPC.