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Clews Road winery gets nod

Warren HatelyAugusta Margaret River Times

WA’s Regional Joint Development Assessment Panel has approved a major new winery on Clews Road in Cowaramup with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s support.

On June 4, the JDAP met to consider the $11 million item after a lengthy period of public consultation which included the Shire’s commission of a Responsible Authority Report.

The four-year approval covers a winery, restaurant and cellar door on the 16ha site which still require building approvals, and the proponents were ordered to develop noise, landscape, waste and bushfire management plans. The site would host four special events a year, hosting up to 300 people.

“The winery will be located within an existing ‘dry dam’ and will to some degree be located underground with a proposed landscaped roof,” the Shire’s report noted.

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Twelve submissions were received during consultation, including five objections.

“The key issues of concern were overlooking, composting, noise, dust, odour, light glare and water quality impacts to the downstream organic vineyard,” the Shire report said.

A plan for the construction period would be provided to the Shire’s planning department to address concerns around dust, vehicles and noise affecting neighbours.

The developers would also make a public art contribution, set against the value of the proposed winery.

JDAP was the determining authority due to the project cost being greater than $10 million.

In granting the approval, the panel “was satisfied with the RAR recommendation and the amended conditions”.

“The RJDAP was also satisfied that all relevant planning considerations had been appropriately addressed and that the proposed development is consistent with orderly and proper planning,” acting presiding member Kanella Hope said.

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