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The
proponents of a controversial development at Smiths Beach near Yallingup
have withdrawn their proposal.
Canal
Rocks Pty Ltd chairman David McKenzie said yesterday negative community
feeling had led the company to withdraw its development guide plan from
the Busselton Shire Council.
But Mr McKenzie said it would be resubmitted in a
different form later. The proponents would consult national and international
experts before resubmitting the plan. They would continue to take into
account world's best practice for coastal land.
"I am concerned that the proposed development
has polarised the community and much of the recent debate has lost focus
because it has become too political and emotional," Mr McKenzie said.
"We will consider submissions already made by
the community and the new proposal will remain consistent with the existing
local and regional policies."
The
proposal included plans for 230 residential lots, 460 holiday units, an
outdoor festival area, village and community centre, upgraded coastal
paths and public parking.
Busselton Shire chief executive
Michael Swift said he was shocked at the withdrawal of the proposal so
close to the public submission deadline of February 19.
But he said all submissions on the proposal would
still be considered by the council at a meeting late next month.
"The council still wants to adopt some form of
policy position in relation to the site," Mr Swift said. "There
has been a pretty good community feeling about a range of issues and the
work put in won't go to waste."
Smiths Beach Action Group representative Bill Mitchell
said the withdrawal was not a win for opponents of the plan but he was
thankful for the community spirit galvanised over the issue.
He said the group would still lodge more than 3000
submissions against the proposal with the council next week. It was suspicious
of the proponents’ next move.
Community anger had grown against the development
at Smiths Beach since it was revealed last December that the plan was
substantially bigger than first proposed in the draft Leeuwin-Naturaliste
Ridge statement of planning policy.
Mr Mitchell said that anger would resurface unless
the proponents scaled down the plan.
"The only thing Canal Rocks Pty Ltd have got
right so far is the overdue observation that this development is totally
unacceptable to the local community and visitors to our unique coastline,"
he said.
"It's ironic the developers have withdrawn the
plan as they have claimed world's best practice with this ridiculous monstrosity."
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