Controversial Gnarabup luxury development Westin Margaret River Spa & Resort given environmental approval

A controversial luxury resort proposed for the Margaret River region has been given the tick of approval by the Environment Minister, passing a major step for final development approval.

The $138 million, five-star Westin Margaret River Spa & Resort proposal in Gnarabup — 8km south west of Margaret River — was given the approval of Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn on Tuesday.

The development will feature 121 hotel rooms, 51 beach houses, 25 apartments, four townhouses, a general store, and a cafe.

It was first approved with a number of conditions by the EPA in May but an appeal against the ruling by locals and environmental groups held up the process.

Saracen Group’s proposal will now go through the process to get development approval from the WA Planning Commission and if granted, will then be able to build.

The luxury tourism resort and village has drawn fierce rebuke from locals, who argue it will damage the environment, amenity of the area and increase the risk posed to locals by bushfires.

It was also formally opposed by the Augusta Margaret River Shire council in 2022.

Preserve Gnarabup spokesperson Beth Carlessi said the decision was disheartening but not unexpected.

“Our community is very disappointed by the Cook Government’s decision today but we will now turn our attention to the assessment of Development Application by WA Planning Commission,” she said.

“This important environmental site on our tiny safe town swimming beach is central to community life in Margaret River.

“This development is too big and too dense. It is located on fragile karst limestone which is unsuitable for a very large development right on the coast.”

Ms Carlessi said the process seemed broken with recent history showing “no project is ever refused and conditions on them are often not satisfactory to the community”.

But Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti defended the process, saying the State had found the sweet spot for protecting the environment and allowing development.

“I know that EPA has gone through a very proper process and I think something that the State has done very well is manage the environmental considerations with development.

“It’s something that if you look at us compared to other parts of the world and other even other parts of Australia, I think we’ve done very well and we continue to get that right balance of development and environmental protection.”