Luxury retreat Amaroo has received a tick of approval to its expansion plan to more than double the facility’s capacity after a boost in local tourism.
The Metro Outer Joint Development Assessment Panel approved the $2.1 million proposal at the Mount Helena retreat, with Shire of Mundaring deputy mayor Paige McNeil being the only member who voted against at a meeting today.
The development application, lodged by Planning Outcomes WA, shows a plan to construct 12 eco tents and to decommission and replace its massage rooms.
Amaroo Retreat & Spa owners Paul and Emma Rashleigh already operate eight chalets, a restaurant and a swimming pool at the site since 2018.
According to the application, the border restrictions imposed due to COVID resulted in a significant increase in local demand for tourist accommodation in WA.
“The retreat is unexpectedly fully booked, encouraging management to investigate if the retreat can be expanded,” the application said.
Mr Rashleigh previously told Business News that the demand had not dropped off since the re-opening of the borders, with regular comments from people missing out on bookings as Amaroo was full so far in advance.
Residents have flagged environmental concerns regarding the proposed expansion, with extra clearing of bushland from Mount Helena’s state forest for the “glamping” tents.
Ms McNeil said she was concerned with the overdevelopment of the site with residents living in the surroundings.
“They are heavily promoting weddings and up to 25 events per year,” she said at the meeting.
“I need to be satisfied for the community, given that’s who I represent, that I understand that all the bushfire and environmental aspect are consistent with our vision which is sustainable living. This is a residential area.”
However, acting third specialist member Diana Goldswain said glamping seemed to be the least obstructive insertion for the area.
Deputy presiding member Sheryl Chaffer said this was a “sensitive” expansion but supported the development.
“I think the expansion proposal particularly in using the tents for a form of accommodation is a good selection given its context and environmental circumstances of its site and concerns with bushfire and vegetation,” she said.
A set of conditions is attached to the approval, including submitting a landscaping plan to the shire in the next 60 days and the decommission and removal of an existing septic system.
A shire planning officer said it was a blanket condition to mitigate any issues in the future.
“While the tents don’t have footings concerted on the ground, putting them on top of what could be probably not-compacted soil could be an issue,” he said.
The identified septic system need to be filled with clean sand and compacted before works start.
