BULLETIN
COLLIE RIVER VALLEY Published by LOCALS for LOCALS
Yourdamung plan gets tick EDITION No. 129
Thursday, April 20, 2023
$2.50
Tourist development conditionally approved at the third attempt
EAGER EXPLORER
Indigo Bannister explored in the Wellington Discovery Forrest on Monday. She used her magnifying glass to find an array of invertebrates hidden in the foliage and tree bark. Story on page 6.
AN APPLICATION for a tourist development at Lot 2826 Yourdamung Road was conditionally approved by the Collie Shire Council at a special meeting on Wednesday of last week. The application first came before the council in December 2022. It was twice refused and referred to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) because of concerns about its location in a high-risk bushfire area and what was felt to be an inadequate bushfire management plan. SAT called for mediation between the applicant, Mr Russell Tierney, and council staff to see if a compromise could be found. Acting on advice from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), staff recommended - for the third time that the application be refused. Mr Tierney wanted retrospective approval for the development, including the proposed expansion of onsite facili-
No need yet for desal water
Water Corp. is holding off sourcing Collie’s drinking water from the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant. Page 2
ties for guests, retrospective approval for seven free-standing pergolas, a camping ground, and assembly building/shelter/ multi-use space. DFES advised that the location is in a catastrophic fire-risk area, and that the buildings were not compliant with refuge requirements. Speaking for Mr Tierney, Envision Bushfire Protection professional Anthony Rowe addressed council about the requirements for the construction of a compliant bushfire refuge. Councillors asked if an alternative motion had been prepared by staff, allowing for conditional approval. The alternative motion subsequently presented was lengthy and involved, drawing objections from councillors that they could not be expected to vote on it without due consideration. Continued on page 2.
200 jobs with Green Steel
WA’s proposed steel recycling mill will create over 200 long-term local jobs, sourcing coal industry workers. Page 5