Reviving Cossack

At the height of the Pilbara’s tourist season, the historic town of Cossack remains empty despite current landowners lobbying for changes to breathe life back into the picturesque town.

A number of landowners who have bought blocks in the town have stepped up their fight for permission to develop them, including Alan Wilson, a current landowner and a descendant of one of the original explorers in Cossack.

His great-grandfather William Shakespeare Hall was part of F.T Gregory’s expedition in 1862 and was one of the first white people in the Pilbara.

A tombstone for Mr Hall is erected at the cemetery in Cossack.

Mr Wilson and his brother Ron have four blocks in Cossack and would like to see development and more people at Cossack.

“The real problem is… there has been indications from the shire that they were very keen to have a master plan for the orderly development of Cossack, the trouble is it started back in 1981,” he said.

“There have been a number of master plans produced, some of great expense … and all of them have brought forth absolutely nothing in regards to development.”

Shire of Roebourne president Nicole Lockwood said the shire was working with landowners in Cossack to understand their individual development plans.

“The shire is committed to breathing life back into Cossack,” Ms Lockwood said.

“A master plan, which will eventually guide development of the historical settlement, is nearing completion.

"This process is being facilitated by the State and once this document is complete, we can begin discussion with the State about what possible funding options are available.”

Mr Wilson said the biggest issue with developing Cossack was the lack of power and water services in the town.

The shire confirmed electrical cabling was purchased a number of years ago to connect Cossack to the power supply network.

Ms Lockwood said funding to install the cabling at the time did not eventuate.

“The completed master plan will include recommendations for bringing services into Cossack, including power,” she said.

Member for the North West Vince Catania said he would love to see Cossack developed into a living town.

He also agreed power was a major issue for developing the town.

“The beauty is there is a plan for Cossack it is just… how we can piggy-back off the development of Anketell,” Mr Catania said.

Mr Wilson said tourism was an important part of developing Cossack.

“We’d love to see Cossack being developed as a tourist town,” he said.

“It is all part of the start of northern part of Western Australia.”

Ms Lockwood agreed Cossack had a lot to offer residents and tourists.

“Cossack already has much to offer both shire residents and visitors to the region. Facilitating its redevelopment will transform a town, which only comes alive once a year for the Cossack Art Award, into one that is full of life all year round,” she said.