Douro is not part of park

DESPITE concerns being raised over damage from dumped rubbish and hooning four-wheel-drives, Point Douro will not be included in the proposed Leschenault Regional Park.

Located at the mouth of the Collie River, Point Douro is not being considered for inclusion in the 2146ha park, although the surrounding foreshores will be.

The proposal for the park is being undertaken by the WA Planning Commission and is the second regional park proposed for the Greater Bunbury area.

A WA Planning Commission spokeswoman said the surrounding foreshores were reserved for regional open space and future inclusion in the park, but the point was zoned as urban.

“The Planning Commission is not seeking to acquire land at Point Douro,” she said.

“The land is privately owned and its upkeep is the responsibility of the landowner.”

Point Douro is privately owned by Singapore company Dewsbury Proprietary Limited.

The park is set to include the Leschenault Estuary and peninsula, the foreshores of the Brunswick and Collie rivers and the white mangrove colony in the Leschenault Inlet.

Recreation-based land under the management of local governments and within the proposed boundaries of the park would continue to be managed by the councils.

The plan to establish the Regional Park has been endorsed by the commission but it is yet to be considered by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti, the commission spokeswoman said.

Members of the community can have their say on the park later this month at the Australind Community Hall in a meeting hosted by the Leschenault Catchment Council.

Catchment council staff and board members will attend the meeting at 7pm on June 19, sharing information on the proposed park and projects being undertaken.

To attend contact the catchment council by emailing sharon.upston@leschenaultcc.org.au or call 9791 4773.