Smiths Point will bring a host of benefits. Attracting investment and tourists, the development promises enormous economic benefits that will be felt at the local, regional and even state level.

Smiths Point has been designed for local families and visitors alike, with a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets as well as much needed community facilities, including provisions for a surf life saving centre. The easy walking, relaxed atmosphere will ensure Smiths Point is in keeping with the South West’s unique character.

But there will be a huge number of environmental benefits too, from large areas of preserved and retained bushland to the delivery of deep sewerage and water services to the whole Smiths Beach area.

Environmental benefits

• The development will reduce pressure on other, less developed areas along the Cape-to-Cape coastline;
• Best practice environmental strategies to protect native flora and fauna;
• Of the 40ha available for development, 19ha will be used for public spaces and reserves, enhancing the area’s environment and providing buffer zones to the National Park while ensuring the western headland of the site remains in its natural state;
• This includes the creation of a Community Endowment Reserve (Principal Ridge Protection Area) and adjacent bushland;
• Conservation areas will be donated to the community and will be managed initially by the developer in line with statutory requirements;
• Improved management of vegetation on the western side of the site;
• Delivery of secure water and deep sewerage supplies to the area; and
• Installation of sewerage will enable other users in the area currently using on-site effluent treatment such as septic tanks, to convert to sewerage and reduce the amount of nutrients entering the groundwater and Gunyulgup Brook;

Smiths Point will have the following additional positive environmental outcomes through best practice vegetation management:

• The most significant vegetation on the site, ie the western granite heathlands and Rottnest Island Tea Tree vegetation will be retained and managed for its conservation values;
• Other native vegetation will be retained wherever possible within private lots with conservation covenants to ban clearing of trees;
• Road and access ways will be designed in a low-key way that enables more vegetation to be retained within the development than would normally be possible with a more conventional road system;
• The National Park will be protected by a fringing road between the development and the park as well as a buffer strip of large lots with a large amount of tree retention;
• Habitat for possums will be retained on site by the retention of Peppermint trees in lots and road reserves and the planting of additional peppermint trees in landscaped areas;
• Stormwater from the road system will be collected and infiltrated back into the subsoil; and
• A coastal foreshore reserve will be extended and managed for conservation purposes on the western side and for recreational purposes on the northern side adjacent to Smiths Beach.

Social benefits

• Visitors to Smiths Point will be offered a selection of tourist accommodation options to suit any budget, including hotel, hostel, chalet and camping;
• Construction of a 200sqm Community Centre with provisions forthe Smiths Beach Surf Life Saving Centre with surf and beach patrols to improve safety for all beach users;
• Recreation facilities, including play equipment, seating and barbeque facilities;
• Café, restaurant and hotel facilities will help create a vibrant local village atmosphere;
• Improved road access and parking along the beach front, including new parking bays, viewing areas, lighting and landscape improvements;
• A network of footpaths established throughout the development to encourage pedestrian activity;
• Main vehicle access to the village will be from a new principal entry road in the southeast corner of the site, minimising additional traffic flow on the existing foreshore road;
• A blanket 40km/h limit for all local streets to ensure community safety;
• Upgrades to the Cape to Cape Trail; and
• The developers will contribute to local FESA facilities.

Economic benefits

• The 12-year construction phase will inject an estimated $330 million into the regional economy.
• As a resort destination and residential hub, Smiths Point will potentially inject as much as $27 million per year into the regional economy once complete.
• The flow-on effect will benefit the community to the tune of $70 million per annum once the site is fully developed.
• It’s anticipated that the project will create 160 direct jobs once fully developed, with an estimated 175 more indirect jobs for the local economy.
• The plan also commits to a tourism campaign for the region and the locality, which will promote local activities, attracting visitors and tourist revenue to the area.
• 70% of the development will be dedicated to tourist accommodation which will include a resort hotel, lodge, camping area and backpackers accommodation.
• Smiths Point’s conservation areas will be managed privately, and therefore will not be a burden on the public purse.
• Community infrastructure (community facilities, surf club, recreational facilities, etc) will be provided by the developer at no cost to ratepayers.
• Additional rates generated by Smiths Point will be a windfall for the Busselton Shire, creating funds for improved services in the area.
• State government will also benefit from additional taxes, charges and rates revenue, enabling investment in better services for the community.
• Residential land opportunities will ensure a greater number of people have access to living options along this beautiful stretch of coastline.