By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on June 20, 2018
KOJONUP’S Felicity and Paul Webb received the nod from council on Tuesday night to build eight motel-style units in the town site after altering their initial proposal.
The proponents first applied for development approval to build worker’s accommodation at No. 4 Kojonup-Katanning Road at the May 15 council meeting.
The proposal was unanimously knocked back by council after submissions from St Bernard’s Church, St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School, a nearby landowner and the owners of Kojonup Caravan Park suggested the development would create unwanted noise, parking issues and that the proposal did not promote the growth of Kojonup.
The new application put before council this week proposed eight motel-style units for holiday accommodation and an office at No. 70 Albany Highway.
The proponents’ application letter and proposal stated three transportable units would each contain three self-contained motel rooms, equipped with an ensuite bathroom, queen-sized bed and tea and coffee making facilities.
“We believe that our proposal is in line with the Shire’s 10-year plan and complements, rather than competes with, existing accommodation facilities by attracting even more short-term visitors to our town, who in turn, contribute to Kojonup’s local economy,” the letter stated.
“The accommodation is not aimed at the budget traveller but more to short-term visitors, such as executives, consultants, auditors, government inspectors and the like.”
Shire councillors unanimously voted in favour of the new site and application on Tuesday.
Shire President Ronnie Fleay said the new proposed site was already zoned commercial and therefore deemed appropriate by council.
“Council has a very positive attitude towards projects supporting tourism,” she said.
“There is an issue of shortage of accommodation for when events are happening in the region, so hopefully this will add a bit more diversity for our accommodation.
“It’s a chicken and egg scenario.
“We are trying to bring more people here but there is nowhere for them to stay.”
