Council approves three new development applications for Coolgardie

Shire of Coolgardie president Paul Wilcox says it is encouraging to see interest in businesses and groups investing in the community, with three development applications approved at a recent council meeting.

A motel expansion, school oval and light fabrication business application for Coolgardie were all given the green light at the June council meeting.

The successful development applications will see a 40-room expansion to the existing 55-room motel at 10 Bayley Street, a new school oval and recreation area for Coolgardie CAPS and an old shed transformed into a small-scale light fabrication business focused on manufacturing car and marine accessories.

Cr Wilcox said it was encouraging to see so many people investing in the community and looking to put down stronger roots.

“I think this is really good news just in general with a motel expansion, some block being developed into an oval and fence for kids which we received public submissions on and they were all supportive of that happening because at the moment the blocks are just bare blocks with nothing else really going on,” he said.

“And then the application for a cottage industry located on the north side of town is a new business wanting to get going as well . . . which is all really positive.”

While he was glad these applications were successful and could be accommodated in the shire, Cr Wilcox said land availability — particularly for industrial developments — was something he would like to see more of in the townsite.

“We would like to have more specific industrial zoned areas which is what we are limited for because we’re surrounded by mining tenements so we can’t really expand the town all that much,” he said.

“Of course, every bit of development and land release costs money, and as we know, with the situation that we’re in, we’re not exactly flush with money, but maybe five years down the track, or when things have been a bit stable for a bit longer, these could be the sorts of things the shire could look into more.”