Goode Beach apartments move forward

The controversial Goode Beach holiday apartment development is likely to pass through council later this month, bringing it one step closer to reality.

This follows City Development and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting last night, in which the 11-person panel voted 9-2 to endorse the plan.

The proposal is to build 51 holiday apartments between Goode Beach and Lake Vancouver, enough for 120 people and including a café, function centre and pool.

It is expected to now be voted on by council at its July 24 meeting, where if supported it will be sent to the West Australian Planning Commission for review.

If the WAPC approves it, it will be returned to council for a final vote, which Mayor Dennis Wellington said that could be as far as two years away.

The meeting was not without contention, with 15 members of the public – many of them Goode Beach residents – airing grievances with the proposal during a two-hour debate.

Residents included Max Angus, who said he chose to live in Goode Beach because of its tranquillity, and feared the multimillion dollar proposal could destroy it.

“I was prepared to forego driving to town just to be able to live in that space (and) now that’s being threatened,” he said.

Other residents said the report ignored local opposition, and that they worried for the potential impact on Lake Vancouver and for children’s safety.

However Peter Gleed, speaking on behalf of the development proponent, said the proposal ticked all the boxes.

“The project team members are highly respected in their fields,” he said.

“Relevant agencies and the City have been engaged throughout the process and will continue to be.

“Lake Vancouver is a critical feature not only for Goode Beach but for the resort – it will be of no benefit to anyone for Lake Vancouver to deteriorate.”

When push came to shove the Committee agreed to put its faith in the WAPC to determine if the plan had any major flaws or legal issues.

Cr Greg Stocks said the accommodation was “something Albany desperately needs”.

“While you have to look at the rights of the owners and have to listen to what people who live out there (say), there are also rights in terms of the owner’s rights,” he said.

“If they can meet all the criteria on this block they should be allowed to develop it.”

Only councillors Anthony Moir and John Shanhun opposed the proposal, with Cr Moir saying he could not ignore the overwhelming public opposition.

“We had a lot of speakers to speak against this, while only one speaker supported this,” he said.

“I think we need to listen and take (this) on board.”