Hamelin Bay plan leaves locals 'horrified, ambushed and betrayed'

Karridale and Hamelin Bay residents say they have been left “horrified, ambushed and betrayed” after they received a notice late last month that gave little time to provide feedback on a proposed sand extraction operation on Caves Road.

If approved, the application for 9730 (Lot 22) Caves Road in Hamelin Bay would see limestone and lime sand extraction on the site for a period of 10 years.

According to the notice from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, the proposed development is expected to yield around 1,314,489 cubic metres of raw material from the site, with a proposed setback from Caves Road of 60 metres.

Residents say there are multiple concerns over the project, including the destruction of an area renowned for its untouched beauty.

“What a travesty,” one local told the Mail.

“The lime sand chaots will be levelled and replaced with a 30 metre deep lime pit. An ugly gash on the beautiful landscape of Caves Road.”

Another resident said the community was only just coming to terms with the approval for a rural residential subdivision in the area, when news of the project landed.

“We thought, okay this is what we’re facing – the threat of residential subdivision in that open farmland.

“But a sand mine?!

“Taking away the big hill, which we can see from our place and which is kind of the signature landscape feature in this part of Caves Road.”

He said the proposal had “totally changed” their outlook on the area, and their intention to live in a place where conservation and nature was a priority.

“We bought here in 2016, a bush block under a nature conservation covenant.

“We’re basically custodians or farmers of bush, including a lovely belt of old growth Karri, and priority plant and animal species, including the red-tailed cockatoo.”

The applicant is proposing a maximum of 15 truck movements per day, starting at 7am Mondays to Saturdays.

Locals say the increased traffic to the area will create risks to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

“We were just beginning to feel the peace from the lack of trucks from the Grosse Road pit, and it felt like good sense had returned. Now we have been thrown this curve ball,” one resident told the Mail this week.

“Speaking from over 20 years experience with the haulage from this pit, no one monitors anything once approval is given.

“The school bus has a history of using Caves and Chapman Roads, and will do so in the future on an ‘as needs’ basis.

“[Not to mention] the tour buses, caravans, boats, delivery trucks and private vehicles, locals and tourists alike, interacting with heavily-laden 27.5m b-double haulage trucks.

“Add to the mix walkers and bike riders and you have a very risky and dangerous situation.”

With the public consultation window closing on October 11, locals are calling for a review of the approvals process.

“There must be a review of this Development Assessment Panel (DAP) process, which appears designed to ram projects through and makes a mockery of public engagement and consultation.”

Shire of Augusta Margaret River chief executive Andrea Selvy said where a development is valued over $2million, the land-owner or developer can opt to have it assessed by a Development Assessment Panel (DAP).

“We were made aware of the Hamelin Bay/Cosy Corner application in late September and have been asked to make a recommendation to the DAP by the 29 November,” Ms Selvy said.

“We’ll be using the limited time available to undertake as much consultation as possible to ensure our recommendation takes into account the desires and concerns of our community.

“We’ll present our recommendation to Council at a public meeting – likely to be 27 November – and encourage everyone who wants to have their voice heard to make a submission via our website.”

A spokesperson for Planning Minister John Carey said because the issue was “a live-planning matter”, the Minister was unable to provide comment.

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage was also approached for comment.

The proposal can be viewed and feedback can be provided at yoursay.amrshire.wa.gov.au