Who would have thought? Last week Denmark Shire Council announced, "Tourism Precincts to be Reconsidered". The Shire President said that following feedback from the community and tourism industry “we are exploring alternative options to better manage and contain future tourism development, which will ensure any future tourism development meets the highest possible standards, including environmental standards and visual amenity amongst others.”
Sincere thanks to everyone for helping us get to this point. Are we popping the corks? Not yet. We're watching closely and with great interest to see what those alternative options are. There's a way to go yet.
Our offer stands. We would be thrilled to work with Council to develop a new Sustainable Tourism Strategy (the current one ends in 2025) that incorporates the best of eco-tourism and emerging approaches like regenerative and slow tourism through to no tourism. These approaches are a response to the chaos of the global climate crisis, now an everyday experience. Places like Denmark Shire, with its world recognised biodiversity and beauty, are critically important - now more than ever. First a genuinely sustainable tourism strategy, next a local planning response that supports it. That would make sense to anyone wanting to conserve community and environment.
Meantime the future tourism extravaganza for which Lot 3 South Coast Highway, William Bay was rezoned to 'Tourist', falls far short of "the highest possible standards, including environmental standards and visual amenity amongst others". Council needs to make good on its commitment to the highest possible standards and reconsider, rescind its resolution and rezone Lot 3 from Tourist back to Rural.
If you agree please email the Councillors and tell them: https://www.denmark.wa.gov.au/councillor-contact-details.aspx
If you can join us at 4pm, this Saturday 9th at Kwoorabup Community Adventure Park to Celebrate Denmark - People and Place we'd love to see you. Help continue the campaign to end too much tourism here, for Greens' children.