Split option allowed for precinct project

The State Government has indicated that the Shire of Denmark’s controversial Denmark East Development Precinct Project could be separated into two parts.

The Shire was granted a four-month extension in March for deadlines associated with the $14 million project, which includes $7.6 million in State Government funding.

The Government funding for the project was provided under a Financial Assistance Agreement and this funding is at risk of being recalled if the deadlines within the FAA are not reached.

However Mr Parker said the deadlines would not apply if the project were split.

Uncertainty has surrounded the western precinct of the project, which involves the construction of a bridge across Denmark River, with the Shire council so far unable to select a suitable crossing point.

In January a five-hour council meeting, attended by hundreds of residents, brought no decision, with several concerns raised with the two main options.

Mr Parker said if the project was split, the eastern precinct, the light industrial area, would become the priority and the bridge would be considered at a later date.

A spokesman for Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan said confirmation the project could be split had been provided to the Shire this week.

Mr Parker said an item regarding the issue would be prepared for the council to consider at its July meeting.