State Sinks Historic Hopes
WA Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has rejected Karratha council plans to reactivate the historic town of Cossack – leaving landowners furious. Ms Saffioti wrote to CEO Chris Adams on September 6 stating it had not demonstrated the impact of coastal hazards, “on most of the land subject to the Amendment can be appropriately managed”.
She said appropriate investigations had not been undertaken to, “guide the determination of foreshore areas”, nor had the City demonstrated the disposal of wastewater on land within the Amendment area would not have significant adverse impacts on the environment or public health.”
Landowners Stuart Otto and Terry Patterson were incredulous, but not surprised, when contacted by StreetWise Media. Having spent decades trying to develop his block with other freehold neighbours, Mr Patterson said the decision only further delayed their hope of building on their own currently empty blocks for which they continue to pay rates.
He said either the City was incompetent or the State hypocritical when it came to reactivating the Pilbara ghost town 1480km north of Perth.
Mr Otto told StreetWise the council sent a staffer to Perth to get a “please explain”. Council has been contacted for comment.
Ms Saffioti said Town Planning Scheme Amendment 44 did not ensure development within the Cossack townsite would not have, “a significant adverse impact”, on the heritage and visual landscape values of the Cossack Town Site Precinct and other heritage places registered on the State Register of Heritage Places.
“The City is advised that the Western Australian Planning Commission is of the view that the Cossack Potential Development Areas Map prepared by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage has merit to be further investigated for low impact tourism in a future scheme amendment.
“In this regard, the Commission encourages the City to continue to work with the Department to explore how the potential development areas can address State planning, land and heritage requirements, servicing issues and the City’s vision for Cossack.”
As for the State’s vision for Cossack, Premier Mark McGowan promised to inject millions into revitalising towns such as Cossack under its 2017 ‘Plan for the Pilbara’.
“A McGowan Labor Government will invest $425 million over 5 years to promote WA and showcase our beautiful state including Millstream Chichester National Park, Karijini National Park, historic Cossack and the Burrup Peninsula.”
The “jewel of WA’s North West” and first port in the Pilbara enjoys sweeping coastal views and inland country rich in resources and tens of thousands of years of Indigenous history.
However, its frayed ‘streets’ barely handle the stream of 4WDs and caravans visiting the isolated heritage site overlooking Butcher’s Inlet. Ashes of deliberately-lit fires dot the rocky landscape while the unkept European and Japanese cemetery slowly slips away into the sea. ‘Cossack at the Crossroads’ at www.streetwisemedia.com.au.
