"You may have heard all this talk about saving Smiths Beach lately? And you wonder to yourself, "save it from what?!...the tourists have already invaded it!" But it has the potential to get alot worse, and without your support, it will." Read on for a summary of the current plans for Smiths Beach and what you can do to stop it from happening, submitted by Kyle Williams (bodyboarding_bum)

So whats the deal?

The save the Smiths Beach campaign is a local community initative, specifically targeted at the preservation of one of the South West's most iconic places, that is the Smiths Beach/Cannal Rocks area. A group of developers from the Canal Rocks Pty Ltd have been trying to develop the smiths beach waterfront and surrounding areas. There is a proposed 2 hotels (each consisting of 50+ rooms), 263 tourist accommodation units, 8 cabins, 60 backpackers, 104 'strata villas', 1 700 square meters of commercial floorspace, 200 meters of community floor space, plus to top it all off, 6 042 square meters of 'foreshore reserve', that will no doubt be covered in turf and palm trees of some description. This proposed development will have a huge resulting impact on the community, and the environment in the surrounding areas. The Smiths beach area is home to some of WA's most unique tuart trees along with the vulnerable Western Ringtail Possum, and the endangered Western Native Cat (more commonly known as a Chuditch). Is this something you want to lose? Is this something we can afford to lose?
 

What can i do to help?

Well the Smiths beach campaign website acts as a hub, and a communication tool, containing information resources, and historical archives. You can take action by attending the various public meetings, and visiting the various public forums.

For more information visit the website, http://www.savesmithsbeach.com/

If you're not big on having your say, and getting your word out there, thats ok, there's alternatives. There are t-shirts, stickers, limited-edition prints, and a 'Save da Hill' compilation CD consisting of various local artists avaliable. All proceeds will go towards helping the cause.

Our aim is to help maintain the natural asset, and iconic location, that is the Smiths Beach area. Do your thing, put in your help, because as a community, it is possible to beat the large development corporations.

So what are you waiting for? Help out, and join the likes of Taj Burrow (local word class surfer) in an attempt to save Smiths Beach!

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