Shire joins locals in applauding Caves Road refusal

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River, tourism leaders and locals have welcomed the news that a proposed extractive industry project in the region’s South West has been refused by the Regional Development Assessment Panel (RDAP).

The RDAP made the decision to refuse the application to create the sand mining operation on Caves Road in Hamelin Bay, following outcry from residents and local leaders.

The Shire provided the chance for community members to participate in the Perth-based panel, during which the Shire President joined locals in providing comment on the proposal.

Shire President Julia Meldrum welcomed the decision.

“While the final decision was out of Council’s control, it was important to our community and to Council that we had a strong voice in this decision, so I’m very pleased with the outcome,” Ms Meldrum said. “I made the conscious decision to present from Wadandi Boodja and stand shoulder to shoulder with my community, representing their views and concerns.

“Our community knows intrinsically that the land west of Caves Road between Cape Naturaliste in the North and Cape Leeuwin in the South is special, and the depth of their concern was evident in the 275 submissions of objection we received during the public consultation period.

“I am therefore delighted that Council’s objection and the concerns of the community have been upheld by the Regional Development Assessment Panel.”

Local resident John Angeloni said he was grateful the RDAP had “recognised the importance of a buffer zone, given my very close proximity at 217m, and also the application’s deficiencies in terms of a thorough assessment of the impacts on me and my neighbours in the face of this very large proposed extraction”.

Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association (MRBTA) Chair Stuart Hicks also presented to the panel, stating the proposal must be refused “because of the economic, social, environmental, heritage and cultural imperative of preserving the character of the area within the vicinity of Caves Road and Cosy Corner Road”.

“I acknowledge the need to provide sources of agricultural and industrial lime sands in the region,” Mr Hicks said.

“At stake on this occasion, however, is whether an unsightly and permanently transformative industrial activity ought be acceptable at a keystone location within one of the State’s primary tourist landscapes.”

The Shire said the decision upheld long-standing protections for the area, including the State Planning Policy 6.1 (1998), designed to prevent inappropriate development west of Caves Road.

“This outcome reinforces the Shire’s approach on how we protect our unique environmental assets,” Ms Meldrum said.

“It shows that when proper planning, local knowledge and community values are thoroughly considered, we can achieve outcomes that protect our natural heritage for future generations.

“We respect the need for raw materials for agriculture, however this was the wrong location for extraction for many reasons.”

The Shire expressed gratitude for the efforts from locals during the consultation process.

“The decision reinforces the importance of community voice in planning decisions and strengthens our shared commitment to preserving the exceptional character of our region for generations to come.”