Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel delays decision on Myalup workforce accommodation proposal

The decision on a proposed workforce accommodation development in Myalup has been delayed in the hope a solution can be found to stop the $10m project being rejected. Transport and earthmoving company B&J Catalano is wanting to construct a 101-unit facility on Tredrea Place to provide living facilities for the same number of workers. But the Shire of Harvey had recommended the plans be rejected by the Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel at a meeting held late last month, arguing environmental and bush fire risks were too great. Following legal advice received by the panel behind closed doors, its members voted 3-2 to delay its decision potentially until the end of September to allow further talks to take place between the company and the Shire. It is hoped the talks would allow the parties to come to an agreement to allow the development to be passed. The move was made by deputy presiding member Gabriela Poezyn, who said while she did not believe there were enough reasons for the development to be blocked, she was also not happy with a conditional approval. “Even before we get to a determination, there are a lot of items that have not been fully addressed,” she said. “For instance, there are plans that shows houses where trees are located, that needs to be further refined. The whole idea of whether you have a foundation, whether you’re going to be moving the ground in order to put down this (development). “All these questions need to be resolved before we actually get to a determination. If we had to refuse the application, all these items would be ironed out at SAT.” Harvey shire president Michelle Campbell and Cr Craig Carbone supported the move, while presiding member Tony Arias and specialist member Clayton Higham opposed the decision. The report presented by council to JDAP highlighted a number of issues, including a Main Roads objection and DFES raising issues with the site having one-way vehicle access. But the main issues were environmental, with council’s responsible authority report arguing there is “insufficient evidence” to show there would not be impacts on native vegetation, animals and water resources. The Regional JDAP will need to reconvene to make its decision on the development by September 27.