State Government call for Cossack development proposals

The historic town of Cossack could finally be activated with the State Government calling for proposals to develop the site in an opportunity described by Lands Minister Ben Wyatt as “once-in-a-generation”. Mr Wyatt today called for registrations of interest for a unique opportunity to activate the heritage townsite and for parties to come forward with their vision to revitalise the precinct. Proposals involving low-impact tourism development, high quality eco-tourism accommodation, low-cost camping, cafés or galleries would be favoured. Any submissions would need to respond to and consider physical site constraints, heritage protection and conservation, Native Title considerations, future planning, development and land management. Once envisioned to become the Broome of the Pilbara, the now ghost town has been plagued by a series of failed master plans over several decades due to longstanding regulations preventing development. In June, the City of Karratha ceased management of the town and nearby Jarman Island after 24 years and handed responsibility back to the State Government. Read more in next week’s Pilbara News.