A key message from the community and stakeholder consultation that informed the Shire of Exmouth’s new 2023-2033 Strategic Community Plan and Corporate Business Plan was that sustainable waste management was a high priority.
This flowed through to a key strategic action of the plan being to, “champion community leaders to promote effective waste management practices acknowledging Exmouth’s unique location and circumstances”.
While it may not be fully appreciated by all stakeholders, Gascoyne Gateway never proposed to impact Qualing Pool with its development.
Rather, it has always recognised the cultural and environmental importance of Qualing Pool and proposed to excise the site, and a buffer zone to the 100-year flood plain, out of its land inquiry and resource the regeneration of the site.
Gascoyne Gateway acknowledges that the Qualing Pool site has been impacted by uncontrolled vehicular access and having no management plan to date.
Gascoyne Gateway supports the WA Government’s decision to take responsibility for the management of the Qualing Pool site, by vesting it as an A-Class Nature reserve, and is committed to supporting its protection.
Given the proximity of the Gascoyne Gateway site to both the existing light industrial area and landfill, the project might be in a unique position to support the development of sustainable waste management practices for the region. Solid waste is hard to recycle in remote areas unless it can be added to trucks or ships as back loading. This may be a possibility at the facility.
We’re proposing to work in partnership with the Traditional Owners, local community and government agencies to identify the best ways to regenerate and celebrate Qualing Pool.
Concepts could include:
