https://karratha.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/uploads/191028 OCM AGENDA OCTOBER 2019.pdf
12.2 DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION – CHANGE OF USE FROM SHORT TERM TOURIST ACCOMMODATION TO WORKFORCE ACCOMMODATION ON LOTS 55 AND 103 WEST MOORE ISLAND File No: DA19211 Responsible Executive Officer: Director Development Services Reporting Author: Principal Planner Date of Report: 9 October 2019 Applicant/Proponent: West Australian South Sea Pearls Pty Ltd Disclosure of Interest: Nil Attachment(s) 1. Location Plans 2. Site Plan, Elevations, Floor Plans PURPOSE For Council to consider a development application for the change of use of the existing approved short term tourist accommodation located on Lots 55 and 103 West Moore Island to the use of Workforce Accommodation. BACKGROUND Site and Surrounds West Moore Island is located at the eastern extremity of the City of Karratha, approximately 10km offshore from where the
BALLA BALLA Inlet meets the Indian Ocean (see attachment 1). With the exception of caretaker staff, the island is unpopulated, remote and not easily accessible.
BALLA BALLA Road connects the
BALLA BALLA Inlet to the North West Coastal Highway at Whim Creek. Site Approval Background On 20 November 2007, the then Shire of Roebourne granted development approval PA1766 for ‘short term tourist accommodation’ on Lot 55, West Moore Island. That development approval was for a building of nine bedrooms with open living areas. On 13 November 2012, the City granted development approval P2996 for a detached building to be located on adjacent Lot 103 for staff accommodation associated with the abovementioned tourism venture. The tourism venture that operated under these approvals is no longer operational. In March 2017, in response to a request for comments from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH), the City provided in-principle support for a change in lease purpose over Lots 55 and 103 from ‘Base for Pearl Farming and Cultivation of Pearl Oysters and Short Term Tourist Stays’ to ‘Accommodation Facility’. This requested change of lease purpose was put forward by
BALLA BALLA Infrastructure Group (BBIG) to allow for workforce accommodation associated with development of its proposed iron ore port facilities at
BALLA BALLA. The City’s in-principle support was conditional on development approval being Ordinary Council Meeting – Agenda 28 October 2019 Page 98 granted. DPLH has advised that the lease purpose of ‘Accommodation Facility’ was registered on 5 November 2018. Proposed Development On 13 September 2019, West Australian South Sea Pearls Pty Ltd formally lodged development application DA19211 to change the approved ‘short term tourist accommodation’ use of the existing approved buildings on West Moore Island to ‘workforce accommodation’. The proposal is for a maximum of 9 workers to be accommodated in the building located on Lot 55 and for two staff/caretaker’s to be accommodated in the approved staff quarters building on Lot 103 (see Attachment 2). No new buildings or structures are proposed under this application. The applicant has stated that it is not feasible to transport contractors in and out of the port construction area on a daily basis due to the remoteness of the location and that the existing accommodation development on West Moore Island provides a good accommodation option for port construction as part of the
BALLA BALLA Infrastructure Project (BBIP). The applicant has stated that the accommodation would provide for small numbers of contractors, consultants and construction workers to attend the proposed port and marine areas on short term contracts. The applicant has requested a 10 year period of approval with the option of extension for an additional five (5) years. LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE In accordance with Council Policy CG-8 Significant Decision Making Policy, this matter is considered to be of low significance in terms of social, economic and environmental issues. COUNCILLOR/OFFICER CONSULTATION The proposal has been assessed by the City’s Development Assessment Team. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION No community consultation is required. STATUTORY IMPLICATIONS On 23 September 2019, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) forwarded correspondence notifying the City that the Minister has granted approval to Amendment 39 of the Local Planning Scheme No.8. The amendment inserts a clause into the Scheme requiring the need for additional workforce accommodation to be demonstrated. The applicant has demonstrated need for the workforce accommodation, being the remoteness of the site and difficulties of trying to accommodate small numbers of workers for temporary periods in this remote location. Further, it has been demonstrated the workers are required for the planning and construction phase of the
BBIP. West Moore Island is shown on the Scheme Maps as a Conservation, Recreation and Natural Landscapes Scheme Reservation. Clause 2.2 of the Scheme states that when considering an application for a land use on a Local Scheme Reserve, the City shall have regard to the ultimate purpose intended for the reservation. The existing development on Lots 55 and 103 is approved. The proposed change of use would not increase the scale of development that exists on site, nor the number of people that can stay on site. It is considered that this proposal will have no greater impact on West Moore Island. Should development approval be granted, a condition is recommended stating that no area within the site or beyond the site boundaries is to be used for the storage of machinery or equipment that is not directly related to the maintenance, repair or day-to-day operations of the approved workforce accommodation use.
