Inquiry into Shack Sites supports removal of shacks at Wedge and Grey

Submitted by Louise Sales on Thu, 14/04/2011 - 12:00

Lynn MacLaren MLC, member of the Legislative Council Committee of Environment and Public Affairs today commented on the report tabled this morning following the inquiry into shack sites.

“What we found was that the shack site policy established years ago wasn’t really being implemented, and it caused uncertainty and raised expectations that perhaps shacks could remain in these unmanaged areas,” said Ms MacLaren.

The Committee found that some areas could be developed into tourist accommodation, but the majority of remaining shacks should be removed.

“I think the important thing is that people will be able to continue to enjoy holidays in beach shacks in several locations along our beautiful Western Australian coast,” added Ms MacLaren.

The driving force for this inquiry, the shacks at Wedge and Grey located on unvested public land, are no longer isolated due to the opening up of Indian Ocean Drive. The committee found that they should be removed in line with the shack sites policy.

“I understand that many people have fond memories of their holidays in these isolated locations, but the pressure on the environment that more and more people in these undeveloped areas place is unsustainable. I believe a well-managed area will offer opportunities for many more people to enjoy these areas for generations to come,” Ms MacLaren concluded.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, there were several areas originally established as Shack Sites where the committee found that existing management arrangements worked well or could be improved.