City backs vision for Cossack

Development in the historic town of Cossack is a step closer to reality after a plan was approved by City of Karratha Council.

If approved by the State Government, four development areas could feature cabin-style accommodation in keeping with the town’s historic buildings as well as “glamping” eco-accommodation and camping.

The plan was developed in consultation with the Cossack Advisory Group and will now be forwarded to State Government agencies.

City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said Cossack was an important part of the region’s history and a major tourism attraction.

“Cossack is a wonderful place with compelling heritage and historical values which we need to protect,” he said.

“Design guidelines will now be developed to support the vision for Cossack, ensuring designs are sympathetic to the historical buildings already present.”

Cr Long said there were some significant challenges to development, including the lack of services, flood risks and the need to complement the heritage buildings.

“The four areas pegged for development had been carefully identified in that they are located outside of the flood/inundation zone and on land that is gently sloping and unconstrained by known heritage

sites,” he said.

“This plan strikes a balance between all of these competing issues to provide a way for Cossack to develop as a tourism drawcard.”

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson said it would be vital to overcome such challenges to attract “tourism dollars”.

“It’s a beautiful asset sitting out there,” he said. “There’s so much potential for a cafe or restaurant and accommodation.”

Roebourne Visitors Centre manager Ruth Ellis said she believed the plan was a “good start” and hoped the development would have positive flow-on effects for

surrounding towns including Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson.

The City of Karratha is now seeking support for the plan from Department of Planning and Department of Lands.

Matters of heritage, indigenous heritage and native title are yet to be determined.

Cr Long said it was important for the City to work with and lobby State Government departments.

“The critical aspects are achieving resolution with regards to current private ownership within the Cossack Townsite area and amending the Town planning scheme to ensure the correct zoning is in place,” he said.

The City of Karratha solely manages the heritage precinct buildings and not the wider area, which is crown land.

The Department of Land Administration has the lease of the Cossack precinct, but this expires in 2017.

Cr Long said that if the heritage precinct building lease reverted to the State, it wouldn’t compromise the greater development of Cossack.

He said he expected it would take up to 12 months to reach an agreement and, after any agreement, it could take another 24 to 36 months to the breaking of sod, dependent on finding a willing proponent and funding.