27 October 2006

Text may be used as quotes attributed to Mr Jeremy Dawkins, Chairman, Western Australian Planning Commission.

The WAPC has approved with conditions a long-standing proposal to redevelop the previous Blue Bay Motel in Oversby Street, Halls Head.

The proposal is for a building containing 66 motel units and ten apartments.  It was approved by the City of Mandurah on 18 July 2006, after extensive community consultation and debate.

Under the current procedures relating to development within 300 metres of the foreshore, proposals over five storeys or 21 metres in height must be referred to the WAPC for determination.  The WAPC considers that the proposed building is a six storey building.

The WAPC considered all aspects of the proposal and its impacts on the area, taking into account the 107 submissions made to the City of Mandurah.

After making an assessment of the proposal, the WAPC approved the proposal subject to amended plans being prepared to reduce the height of the proposal from six storeys to five, and subject to the conditions previously imposed on the development by the City of Mandurah.

The applicant is required to submit the amended plans to the WAPC.

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Media contact: Natasha Farrell 9264 7518 / 0408 955 604