Critical role in $80m hotel plan

An Exmouth resident has been selected to voice community input and concerns about an $80 million hotel set to be built on the Ningaloo coast.

Jules Bush has lived in Exmouth for the past five years and has taken on the role of community engagement officer for the proposed Ningaloo Lighthouse Resort.

She will provide residents with more information about the project and hear the community’s concerns.

The project would involve redeveloping the Ningaloo Lighthouse Caravan Park in the Vlamingh Head precinct into an eco-resort by Tattarang, formerly the Minderoo Group, which bought the land in 2017.

Ms Bush has a long history of working in the North West, having previously worked as a project officer for the Gascoyne Development Commission, at the Shire of Exmouth and on the Gascoyne Tourism Board.

Ms Bush said she had had the privilege of working with a diverse cross-section of the community throughout her career

“This is an exciting time for Exmouth, and it is great that Tattarang has recognised the importance of working closely with the community to ensure our needs are heard and represented,” she said.

Tattarang chief investment officer John Hartman said Ms Bush would be a local face the community could approach for more information.

“We’re excited to have Jules on board as we move towards the next phase of this exciting project,” he said.

A development plan was approved by the Shire of Exmouth in May last year, subject to eight conditions including a coastal hazard risk assessment, a visual landscape impact assessment, and a lighting management plan addressing the impacts of light spill on nesting turtle habitats.

Shire of Exmouth president Matthew Niikkula previously said the accommodation project would help the Shire diversify its economy and provide year-round employment opportunities while protecting the region’s unique natural and built environment.

“During the operation phase, the resort will support an estimated visitor expenditure in excess of $30m per annum for Exmouth,” he said.