Renewable energy, Cowaramup and mandatory local government voting on agenda for March council meeting

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River council is set to venture beyond its Margaret River base for their its Augusta council meeting of the year. Continuing on from their February meeting, the council is set to further discuss its renewable energy local planning policy which has been the centre of much debate, with issues around residential land usage and the Scott River Wind project heavily affected by the policy’s outcome. Results of the $25,000 beach bus program which ran over the summer will also feature, with the council set to present the findings to the State Government in a bid to further fan conversations around the future availability of public transport in the region. A decision will be made on whether the shire will move forward with the Cowaramup precinct plan which includes a proposal to move to community consultation around a perimeter road which aims to have heavy vehicles bypass the small town. The plan would also see existing school crossings moved to safer locations, additional pedestrian crossing points added, a new roundabout added to the intersection of Bottrell St, Hall Rd and Hasluck St and the gravel carpark on Hasluck St to become a permanent fixture. The shire is also set to form an official response to the WA Local Government Association survey which has asked every council in the State whether it supports mandatory local government election voting and four-year terms with full spills. The executive recommendation suggests council will support mandatory voting, though will opt to stick to split spills which put only half the council up for election every two years. The survey has drawn significant debate across the South West, with Busselton and Collie giving support to both amendments, while Bunbury knocked them back. Public question time will also be one to watch, with various members from the Shire expecting a larger than average turnout. The council will meet at 66 Allnut Terrace, Augusta, at 5.30pm on Wednesday, March 25.