Chronology

Smiths Beach has been a designated tourist and residential development zone since early 1993. Over the ensuing years, Canal Rocks Pty Ltd has undertaken an extensive community consultation process to ensure Smiths Point meets the needs of the community and is consistent with all planning policies and regulations.
 
August - November 2007
Shire of Busselton public comment period. Over 7000 submissions were received from the public.
 
September 2006
Following a comprehensive review of the draft DGP in cooperation with the Shire of Busselton, Canal Rocks Pty Ltd submits a revised draft DGP along with related technical information to allow for reporting to Council for consideration to advertise

July 2006
Town Planning Scheme 20 is amended to reflect the changes made to the LNRSPP in 2002 and 2003.
 
September 2005
A new DGP is presented to the Shire of Busselton. Advertising of the plan is deferred pending refinement of the plans.

February 2004
In order to progress the orderly and proper planning of the site, and to assist with the preparation of the DGP, Canal Rocks Pty Ltd, the Shire of Busselton and the WAPC collaborate with the community to prepare what are known as the Combined Methodologies:
• Landscape/visual;
• Environmental;
• Drainage; and
• Wastewater disposal.

The Methodologies are designed to:
• Form the basis for determining opportunities and constraints associated with the subject land;
• Assist in identifying the “developable area”; and
• Inform the content of the reports which will be prepared in association with a Development Guide Plan.

The methodologies were advertised by the Shire of Busselton and referred to all relevant Government agencies for comment. They have been refined to reflect the responses received from both the community and public sector agencies.
 

January 2003
To protect South West beaches from over-development and ensure a balance between residential and tourism development at Smiths Beach, amendments are made to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge Statement of Planning Policy and approved by the Western Australian Planning Commission. The new policy reinforces protection of the area’s visual amenity by requiring that proposed developments do not compromise the natural landscape.

Canal Rocks brings together a multi-disciplinary team of consultants and embarks on a rigorous process of design for the site, based on extensive community consultation and ongoing liaison with Government departments.
 
July 2001
Canal Rocks Pty Ltd embarks on an extensive community consultation process to ensure that the draft DGP is not only consistent with the provisions of the LNRSPP but also that it meets the needs of all members of the community. This consultation is performed utilising Creating Communities – recognised for best practice and widely used by government organisations throughout Australia.
 
September 2000
Canal Rocks Pty Ltd submits a draft Development Guide Plan (DGP) to the Shire of Busselton for the site.

September 1998
The LNRSPP is published, identifying Location 413 as a ‘Tourist Node’ within a ‘Development Investigation Area’, ‘National Park Influence Area’, ‘Principal Ridge Protection Area’ and with a ‘Strategic Trail’ alignment also, stating that up to one third of the accommodation developed on Sussex Location 413 may be for permanent residential use (230 dwellings). No limit put on tourist accommodation units.

Any proposed development was not to compromise the landscape values of the area.
 
September 1997
Location 413 zoned for tourist and residential development under the new Shire of Busselton District Town Planning Scheme No 20.
 
May 1997
The draft LNRSPP was released by the WAPC for public comment and showed Smiths Beach generally as a ‘Tourist Node’ with short stay accommodation for less than 500. Sussex Location 413 is designated as “Principle Ridge Protection Area’ and “Ridge Landscape Amenity Area.” The draft stated:

“At Smiths Beach up to one third of the permanent accommodation may be for residential use.”

The draft LNRSPP was advertised for three months from 9 May 1997 with a total of 997 submissions being received.

September 1996
The Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge Planning Review – Urban Settlements Study is released by the WAPC as a ‘precursor’ to the then prepared draft Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge Statement of Planning Policy (LNRSPP).

The study identifies Smiths Beach as a “Coastal Hamlet” to accommodate a population of less than 500 and to have retirement, tourism, recreation and holiday accommodation functions. The study proposed a number of hamlets in specified locations, generally inland, with the intent of alleviating pressure on generally undeveloped coastal areas. This study was a background document to the draft LNRSPP.

December 1995
The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) releases Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge Planning Review discussion paper.

December 1994
Shire of Busselton defers consideration of concept plan for Sussex Location 413 and advises that any plan will need to comply with outcomes of Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge Study.

October 1994
Land use of location 413 is refined as part of the Leeuwin-Naturalist Region Planning review and the impending new Scheme.
 
September 1993
Pre-advertising of draft Shire Town Planning Scheme undertaken, including referral to government agencies and community groups.
 
March 1993
The Busselton Local Rural Strategy identifies Smiths Beach for a new residential/tourist settlement

Mid-1980s
Comprehensive planning for Location 413 (the site adjoining Smiths Beach) commences.