The village will be located on a privately owned site within the tourism-focused community of Smiths Beach. The 40.5 hectare site is situated behind and beside the existing Smiths Beach Resort and Canal Rocks Apartments which are well-known and well-frequented tourism assets.

The site is owned by four Western Australian families and Adrian Fini is leading the Smiths Beach Project team on behalf of the owners. Adrian has delivered some of Western Australia’s most awarded and valued tourism precincts including the State Buildings and COMO The Treasury in the Perth CBD, as well as Bunker Bay Resort - a highly-regarded local tourism destination.

The families share a long association with the region and a deep interest in its sustainable future from an environmental, lifestyle and economic viewpoint. Their focus for the village is helping to ensure a strong tourism sector in the region for decades to come. They want to create a village that offers contemporary tourism experiences and facilities to visitors from Australia and elsewhere, promoting Aboriginal culture, ensuring quality employment opportunities, while also providing much-needed facilities and infrastructure for the local community.

The site was purchased in 2014 via the entity Smiths 2014 Pty Ltd.

An approved Structure Plan is currently in place for the site with the potential to deliver a suburban intensity subdivision with over 500 tourism and residential dwellings. Approval for the existing Structure Plan was obtained by the former owners of the site and it would be expected to result in substantial clearing of vegetation within the development area, including some of the most important vegetation on the site.

We do not believe this to be a suitable outcome for the location and therefore are proposing a more considerate, lower intensity project of 65 hotel rooms and 61 holiday homes to minimise the environmental impact and maintain the local character.

Therefore support of this proposal is important to ensure appropriate development of the Smiths Beach site, and to avoid the potential suburban density allowable in the existing approval.

We believe that if the site was developed as a suburban style subdivision it would be a very poor outcome for Smiths Beach and represents an approach from a previous period. It does not fit with our vision, which is for a contemporary, sustainable development approach for Smiths Beach. As a result, we have followed a contemporary planning approach and are proposing a more considerate, lower intensity tourism and residential project.

Our ‘landscape led’ approach works with the landscape, being guided by its natural contours and important vegetation. The development footprint will be less dense, with buildings dispersed across the site to allow for a much greater retention of vegetation and landform. We have considered all the learnings and studies from previous work that led to the approved Structure Plan and these also inform our new proposal.

This claim is deliberately misleading and is not true. We are simply putting forward a coastal village proposal for rigorous assessment and approval that we believe is a better vision for the future of Smiths Beach.

Our land at Smiths Beach has been zoned for a development since 1999. It is privately owned and can be developed because there is an existing Structure Plan. However, a Structure Plan is not ‘the law’ as it has been claimed – it is simply a guide for a potential development approach.

We believe the existing Structure Plan is a poor result for the community because it encourages a suburban style intensity of development. Our coastal village proposal features less development on the land than what could be delivered under the existing Structure Plan, which means greater preservation of the environment and landscape. Proposing a contemporary landscape led design for this important site, instead of just following an old-style planning and design approach is certainly not breaking the law.

Just as importantly, our Development Application contains the specific location and detailed design of every building, tourism, and community facility on our land for the community to comment on when formal public consultation commences. The existing Structure Plan gives the community no detail at all about what the many potential buildings could look like or where key facilities would be located.

We have submitted a comprehensive Development Application (DA), which will be assessed by the Western Australian Planning Commission.

The DA sets out all planning and design elements for the project and contains a wide range of specialist reports including:

• Visual and Landscape Assessment

• Architectural Design Report

• Landscape Report

• Bushfire Management Plan & Bushfire Emergency Management Plan

• Transport and Parking Assessment

• Waste Management Plan

• Noise Assessment

• Heritage Report

• Environmental Assessment Report

• Foreshore Management Plan

• Coastal Hazard Assessment

• Engineering Report

• Urban Water Management Plan

• Economic Benefit Study

• Sustainability Strategy

The DA and associated technical reports can be accessed here.

The approved Structure Plan essentially fights with nature. It allows a suburban style subdivision that will require considerable land disturbance and clearing to build retaining walls, other structures and infrastructure, as well as the permanent loss of large areas of vegetation because it will comprise smaller blocks and higher density. The approved Structure Plan takes the approach of condensing as much development as possible into an area that is defined by a man-made firebreak across the site.

All things considered, we think the approved Structure Plan is a poor result that has the potential for much higher density at Smiths Beach than we think is appropriate for this location.

In contrast, our vision is guided by the site’s landscape and its vegetation. When examining the landscape, we realised that by significantly reducing the number and density of buildings, and shaping the development in a way that minimises land disturbance and preserves high quality vegetation, we could achieve a far more sustainable development that would benefit the community and region.

Instead of a highly visible, suburban style development; our proposal will result in widely dispersed buildings on substantially larger blocks, with extensive vegetation throughout the project. Our proposal retains substantially more vegetation than is likely under the approved Structure Plan and more than halves the area that is likely to be permanently cleared for buildings and infrastructure.

For more information on the landscape led design, refer to the Design Report and Landscape Report.

The buildings within the Smiths Beach Project are sensitively positioned across the landscape to minimise visual impact and disturbance to the vegetation. Natural materials and simple forms have been used to provide a strong connection to the site, with highly selective materials used to enhance visual amenity, creating a robust and enduring palette that recedes into the landscape.

To help us realise our landscape led vision, we started by engaging one of Australia’s leading landscape architects, McGregor Coxall. Their team has guided our landscape led approach.

As we moved to the design of buildings and community facilities McGregor Coxall has been working alongside a team from six separate award winning architectural practices – Kerry Hill Architects, Space Agency, Peter Hobbs Architects, Sharni Howe Architects, Morq and Officer Woods. This team of renowned architects has now designed each building on the site, with the different practices focusing on various elements of the proposal.

The average holiday home lot size is 1,844sqm. This will achieve an overall density of R10, representing a significant reduction to the R25 density currently permitted under the approved Structure Plan.

Existing significant vegetation provides ‘natural’ boundaries to the lots, so there is no need for boundary fences between properties.

Currently, the entire 40.5 hectare parcel of land is privately owned, and no part of our land is a National Park. There will only be additional areas of National Park created as a result of our coastal village proposal being approved.

Our proposal involves gifting over 40% of the privately owned land to the public to expand the current Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park when the coastal village proposal is approved. Expanding the National Park by gifting this land is important for two reasons:

- Important vegetation known as Priority Ecological Communities (PECs) will be transferred into the National Park and protected forever; and

- Sections of the Cape to Cape Track which currently run through the privately owned land will then be on public land and protected by a substantial environmental buffer, which is more appropriate than the current situation.

Gifting nearly 17 hectares of land so that it can become National Park is an important part of our coastal village proposal and provides a long-term benefit to the environment, local community and the region.

Our coastal village will be open and accessible to all. This replicates the nature of most Western Australian beachfront communities. Our proposed Community Hub will provide something for everyone:

• The new Smiths Beach Surf Life Saving Club will provide much-needed facilities for the local community. We believe new clubrooms, equipment storage areas and improved access to the beach for training and rescue purposes are essential community facilities which will improve the safety of visitors to Smiths Beach.

• At the heart of the Community Hub will be the Cape to Cape Welcome Centre, which will provide a curated selection of experiences for all visitors and locals, including immersive Aboriginal cultural experiences.

• Further amenity for the community will include improved beach access and parking, a general store, café and bakery, reception hall, restaurant and wellness offering.

• The project will bring in mains water supply to the site, and ultimately improve the safety of the Smiths Beach community in the event of a bushfire.

A rehabilitated and improved foreshore will include a nature play area and yarning circle, along with a universal access ramp to the beach. Beachgoers will have access to improved public amenities including showers and toilets.

Extensive revegetation of the landscape and coastal rehabilitation will take place, ensuring previously disturbed areas are regenerated with naturally occA rehabilitated and improved foreshore will include a nature play area and yarning circle, along with a universal access ramp to the beach. Beachgoers will have access to improved public amenities including showers and toilets.

Extensive revegetation of the landscape and coastal rehabilitation will take place, ensuring previously disturbed areas are regenerated with naturally occurring local flora that complements the natural features of the site.

For further information, refer to the Foreshore Management Plan.

A fully funded, guaranteed, and community run Surf Life Saving Club is part of our coastal village proposal. The new club will be handed to the Smiths Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SBSLSC) to operate on an ongoing basis.

Previous proposals for a surf club at Smiths Beach relied on securing new public funding. We will provide certainty for the local community by delivering a fully funded surf club.

The new surf club has been designed in consultation with club representatives and will contain:

- a club room,

- training and first aid rooms,

- a boat shed

- change facilities.

Our proposal guarantees a location for the club and a design that allows fully informed community feedback during consultation – unlike previous proposals.

The club will be located near the foreshore with much better access to the beach for rescue equipment. This will also ensure there is greater capacity for running important training programs, such as Nippers.

The club will have the ability to use the proposed Community Hub and neighbouring facilities for a range of club events.

The end result of a new club in the coastal village will be a safer beach experience for locals and visitors.

Yes, the public will retain full pedestrian and vehicle access to the beach, Cape to Cape Track and Smiths Point.

The current access along the foreshore to Smiths Point will remain in place and open to public vehicles and pedestrians. Swimming, fishing, walking and viewing access will be unchanged.

Yes, we will provide sufficient parking for the modelled peak parking demand generated by the project.

We are including significant parking for the general public visiting the beach as well as visitors to the village itself.

None of the existing public parking at Smiths Beach is required for the onsite uses of the village.

For further information, refer to the Transport and Parking Assessment.

From early-2019, the project team started to formulate the vision for the site, culminating in a detailed ‘Cape to Cape’ document which provided a vision and road map for growing sustainable tourism demand in the South West.

This document formed the basis of our initial engagement with key stakeholders from early 2020 and the evolution of our Development Application for a new coastal village, which was submitted in late 2021.

Throughout our design phase, we have conducted targeted stakeholder discussions. This engagement has involved a series of one-on-one meetings and small group presentations with resident groups, community associations, local businesses, the tourism sector and Local and State Government Agencies. We have spoken to several hundred people in detail about our vision, designs and community facilities and received important and useful feedback and guidance.

There is a formal public consultation on our proposal as part of the approval process run by the State Development Assessment Unit (SDAU). This period will run for 6 weeks and provides the community an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposal.

Click here to provide your feedback.

Our vision is to provide tangible long-term benefits for the local Nyoongar community and to acknowledge, respect and promote the continuation of culture and traditional practices in the region. It will also ensure that Smiths Beach is a place that all members of the community can take great pride in because of its leading approach to reconciliation and recognition.

Our intent is that visitors to Smiths Beach should gain knowledge of, and respect for, the ancient Nyoongar connection to the coastal site. We have worked closely with Nyoongar community representatives from the South-West Boojarah - Wardandi Traditional Owners since 2020. We established a Cultural Working Group with family representatives from the Wardandi Traditional Owners to enable them to guide us on a range of plans, programs and innovations to help ensure Smiths Beach is a ‘must visit’ location for anyone who wants to experience our rich Nyoongar culture.

The extensive work done by the Cultural Working Group covers: employment and supply chain opportunities; training and caring for country; design of wayfinding and storytelling across the site; and traditional land management practices. These long-term benefits for the Nyoongar community are detailed within our Development Application.

During 2021 we completed additional ethnographic and archaeological survey work across the site. This survey work has augmented the previous survey work undertaken in 1993, by the previous land owners, as part of the Section 18 process related to the current approved Structure Plan for the site. Both surveys were consistent in their findings.

Since the Smiths Beach project team commenced its heritage work, the WA Government has formalised the South West Boojarah #2 Indigenous Land Use Agreement Group as the primary representatives for all Traditional Owners across the region. At the end of 2021 the Smiths Beach Project team welcomed a direction from the WA Minister for Indigenous Aboriginal Affairs to continue our Section 18 consultation process with the South West Boojarah #2 Indigenous Land Use Agreement Group representatives. The Minister’s guidance provides us with an ongoing opportunity to consult further with the group that now represent the Traditional Owners. Our consultation will focus on ensuring that the project delivers benefits for the Nyoongar community.

Our tourism offering will provide accommodation as well as a range of dining and recreation options, and multi-functional spaces for visitors and locals to enjoy.

The 65-room hotel will be open to the public and features a restaurant, lounge and bar, wellness centre (spa and gym), and a swimming pool.

An eco-friendly, raised platform campground is included within our proposal. 36 platforms will be nestled under established Peppermint trees, with tents pitched on the platforms, ensuring minimal disturbance to natural groundcover.

The campgrounds will feature central amenities: toilets and showers, laundry, kitchen, communal lounge spaces and BBQ areas.

The Cape to Cape Welcome Centre is at the heart of the Smiths Beach village and will provide a curated selection of experiences for all visitors on the Cape to Cape Track and to the region, including immersive Aboriginal cultural experiences. It will offer a range of information and interpretive elements that showcase Aboriginal culture, local history and environment, exhibit local artisans, provide walking track maps and guides, and become a meeting place for walking and guided groups.

Any individual, group or Cape to Cape tour operator will be able to use the Welcome Centre to improve their experience or tourism offering.

All the holiday homes have been designed to have the potential for use by tourists throughout the year. They will be managed and let centrally by the operator of the hotel. They will not be available on general accommodation platforms, such as AirBnB. This centralised approach to all tourism accommodation will be achieved through the management of the whole village as a single entity under Community Title. This will ensure consistency of quality and experience for visitors and everyone in the village.

Potentially 100% of the village could be used for tourism as all the holiday homes can be let to visitors through a centralised management system.

Based on our assessment of nearby local communities like Yallingup and Eagle Bay, we anticipate a large proportion of the holiday homes will be available for use by visitors at any given time, in addition to the hotel and campground accommodation.

The Community Titles Act 2018 was enacted in Western Australia in June 2021. While new in WA, Community Title has existed in New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland for many years.

You can learn more about Community Titles here.

The use of Community Title facilitates a centralised management approach and strict controls over important aspects of the project, including built form, vegetation retention and bushfire management.

All tourism accommodation will be centrally managed, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable tourism experience for visitors across the project.

The village adopts a 'landscape first' design with its principles rooted in sustainability, ensuring a respect of the land and visual amenity, embracing the natural topography and landscape.

We have a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy that encompasses environment, water and stormwater, waste management and resources, transport and movement, climate and energy, buildings and public realm, local and sustainable food, local culture and community, and local business and economy.

Examples of our sustainability initiatives include:

• Reducing the Carbon Footprint - use of low embedded carbon materials where possible and minimisation of operational carbon emissions through an embedded renewable energy network.

• Renewable Energy - photovoltaic panels on rooftops with a central community battery storage.

• Waste Management - zero waste principles adopted: plastic free (all tourism and commercial operations), organic and green waste recovery (composting on site and off site), separation and recycling.

• Educating, Reporting and Monitoring - regular seminars and training on sustainability and village practices, and potential for energy monitoring and reporting for individual components and the overall village.

For further information on our sustainability and environmental principles, refer to the Sustainability Strategy and Environmental Assessment Report.

There are three endangered fauna species confirmed – the western ringtail possum, Carnaby black cockatoo and Baudin black cockatoo. The forest red-tailed cockatoo is also understood to use the site.

Our landscape led approach results in dispersed buildings and prioritises the retention of important fauna habitats throughout the development, including Peppermint and Banksia communities.

Environmental surveys have identified that no Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) occur onsite. Priority Ecological Communities (PECs) exist onsite and will be transferred to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park to ensure they are protected forever.

We are proposing minimal fencing around the site and raised campsite platforms, so fauna can move freely and easily around the site.

For further information on flora and fauna, refer to the Environmental Assessment Report.

The village will need standard services and these have been designed to create minimal disturbance to the landscape:

• Earthworks: no extensive earthworks are proposed.

• Water: fully reticulated, potable mains water supply will be extended to the site from existing Water Corporation infrastructure in Yallingup. There will be dedicated storage for bushfire response and water for fire protection will be sourced from the potable water supply.

• Sewer: serviced via onsite wastewater treatment units that are appropriate to a low density village environment. The facilities are known as Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) and wastewater will be treated appropriately to avoid any impact to the surrounding environment. Maintenance of the ATUs will be centrally managed and meet stringent maintenance requirements set by the Department of Health.

• Power: the existing Western Power network surrounding the site will service the village, complemented by an innovative renewable energy microgrid system that combines high reliance on renewable energy and energy storage to dramatically reduce emissions.

• Lighting: will meet the required levels of environmental performance. Consistent with the pedestrian focus of the village, LED lighting will be provided, with selection focussing on minimising light spill and any impacts on wildlife.

For further information on servicing, refer to the Engineering Report.

We are proposing the use of Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) on-site. These are appropriate because of the low density in the village compared with the potential developed outcome under the approved Structure Plan. ATUs are used in communities around Australia and the contemporary versions are a significant improvement compared to traditional septic tank units that remain used throughout the area.

Use of ATUs means that permanent clearing required for wastewater infrastructure is minimised, which matches our landscape led approach and focus on retention of vegetation. The ATUs will be located in areas already cleared for buildings.

The use of Community Title means that that there will be strict installation requirements and ongoing centralised management of the ATUs to ensure they are maintained to the highest standards. This will be a significant improvement on the situation in nearby coastal communities which typically rely on each individual landowner to manage and maintain their individual system.

For further information on the wastewater system, refer to the Engineering Report.

A comprehensive Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) and Bushfire Emergency Management Plan (BEMP) have been prepared. The BMP and BEMP focus on ongoing land management, including traditional practices, and the emergency management measures for all occupants in a bushfire emergency.

Through use of Community Title, centralised site management will ensure vegetation management and rehabilitation for environmental, landscape and habitat values is balanced with bushfire management requirements. This provides for a central and coordinated whole of site approach across individual properties, common property and open space.

For further information on bushfire management, refer to the Bushfire Management Plan and Bushfire Emergency Management Plan.

Similar to nearby coastal settlements (e.g. Gracetown, Injidup, Yallingup Hill, Bunker Bay), Smiths Beach has 'one road in and out’. This requires a coordinated bushfire response strategy. Smiths Beach will be the first settlement in the area to have a community safe shelter which has been integrated into the Community Hub and Tourist Development.

The village will vastly improve community safety in the event of any bushfire compared to the current situation at Smiths Beach.

Development of the village will deliver a major and uninterrupted mains water supply to Smiths Beach via the pipeline from Yallingup. This water source will be available to assist with bushfire response for the village, neighbouring tourism facilities and surrounding community.

Centralised and 24hr staffed management of the entire village will ensure an early and coordinated bushfire evacuation response for the entire village.

For anyone who is unable to evacuate in advance of a bushfire, the Community Hub and Tourist Development will provide suitable shelter for people in the village, visitors and people in neighbouring properties. Smiths Beach does not currently have this dedicated, whole of community shelter facility.

The scenario in which a community safe shelter would be used is when the authorities involved in a bushfire response deem that it is safer for people at Smiths Beach to remain in the area rather than undertake an evacuation to larger nearby communities such as Dunsborough or Margaret River.

In this scenario, and depending on the location of the bushfire, people residing in the village would be asked to come to the beachfront muster point, and then depending on a range of conditions from weather to time of day, make use of the safe shelter if required. From this point the emergency services could then coordinate a managed evacuation from this centralised location, if deemed necessary.

Alerts would be sent to all relevant properties in an area that broadly covers Canal Rocks to Caves Road and includes all properties and tourist accommodation in Smiths Beach. In this way every individual in the local area becomes part of a coordinated and safe response to a bushfire.

Yes, the village will include a last resort community safe shelter that can accommodate visitors in the proposed tourism facilities, individuals in the holiday homes, people from neighbouring tourism facilities, any walkers on the Cape to Cape Track, employees and other local residents if it was not possible for them to evacuate in advance of a bushfire. The shelter is comprised of key elements of the tourism facilities and is not a standalone building.

While finalising our proposal we have consulted with leading bushfire experts in Western Australia and spoken to a range of local stakeholders, including those directly involved in local bushfire management.

The village will create a wide range of long-term sustainable jobs in the region, with both direct employment in the village operation and indirectly in the range of smaller local businesses that will supply the village. An authentic South West experience is central to our vision, so local suppliers are essential.

An Economic Benefits Study has assessed the economic benefits in two phases: Construction and Ongoing.

Construction:

• Will support 1,106 FTE construction job years (directly and indirectly) during construction of the development.

• Will add $201 million to the WA economy over the construction phase.

Ongoing:

• Will support 92 ongoing jobs per annum (directly and indirectly).

• An estimated $12.5 million value-added per annum to the Western Australian economy attributable to the daily operation and management of the site.

• The tourism accommodation (hotel, campground and holiday homes) will accommodate an estimated 54,531 visitor nights per year with an estimated total expenditure of $20.5 million per year (including food and beverage operations, general store, bakery, hire shop and spa).

For further information on the economic benefits generated by the project, refer to the Economic Benefit Study.

The South West region offers incredible adventure and nature-based activities, such as the Cape to Cape Track, that align with key global trends in tourism. The South West’s positioning as a significant adventure tourism destination is further supported through Tourism WA’s branding “Spirit of Adventure”, and recognises the South West tourism industry’s contribution to the region and the State.

There has been limited private investment in tourism in the South West region, particularly short stay accommodation, in the past two decades. This has resulted in aging hotel stock and amenities that do not meet the expectations of contemporary tourists.

Our proposal aligns with the South West Regional Planning and Infrastructure Framework, which supports opportunities for the tourism sector to provide experiences derived from the region’s natural, cultural and economic resources and attractions.

We have submitted a comprehensive Development Application to the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) State Development Assessment Unit (SDAU).

We have also self-referred our project to the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) who have confirmed a Public Environmental Review (PER) will be conducted. The EPA will carry out this assessment concurrently with our Development Application.

Our team of architects and specialist consultants have been working on the Smiths Beach Project for a number of years. As a result, the plans are well advanced and this means that development can commence immediately, once all the necessary approvals are received.

Subject to the approvals, it is anticipated that development could commence in 2022/2023, with completion in the period 2026/2027.

Our Development Application and associated technical reports are published by the State Development Assessment Unit (SDAU) on their website for public consultation and comment and can be accessed here.

To deliver our vision for a coastal village, we must obtain over 40 separate statutory approvals and associated requirements. These extensive and rigorous approvals relate to a range of planning, environmental, construction and legal matters, examples of which include:

• State and Commonwealth Environmental Approvals

• Threatened Fauna Management Plan

• Foreshore Management Plan.

Obtaining the statutory approvals is a time and resource intensive process that requires coordination by the SDAU across a wide range of State and Federal Government agencies, including the City of Busselton which will be referred the application as part of the approval process.

Yes, there is a Structure Plan for the site which was approved in 2011.

We believe this outdated Structure Plan does not represent a contemporary planning or design approach and has the potential to deliver a poor result for this unique site. Please read the answer to this question under the section Background To The Proposal.

We are supporting the highest level of WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) assessment for our proposed coastal village.

If the EPA takes this approach, it will become the second time WA’s key environmental agency has examined this land in preparation for potential development, with the first assessment and subsequent approval taking place in 2009 for the former owners. Late last year, the Smiths Beach Project self-referred the new coastal village proposal to the EPA, recognising the need for a rigorous, timely and coordinated assessment process which allows for substantial public input.

While the earlier EPA assessment (2009) recommended environmental approval for development of the land we believe it is appropriate to reconfirm this work with another assessment process for our new proposal.

We are confident that the landscape led design for our proposed coastal village represents a significant environmental improvement on the 2009 proposal and we look forward to the EPA undertaking a new assessment. The significantly lower density and more dispersed development approach in our new coastal village proposal, compared to the 2009 potential development, allows the overall visual impact to be minimised through the increased ability to retain existing vegetation and canopies.

The 2009 EPA assessment was based on the previous owners’ plan which provided no detail of built form. By contrast, the Smiths Beach Project’s Development Application is highly detailed with full designs for all the buildings and infrastructure allowing for an even more informed environmental assessment process.