Capel council rejects Gelorup asphalt plant near Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School

The development application for an asphalt plant at the Gelorup Quarry will not be going ahead after Capel Shire Council rejected the application at the last council meeting.

Allerding & Associates applied for the development of an asphalt plant in Gelorup within kilometres of residents and Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School.

In August, residents and other interested people were invited by the Capel shire chief executive Ian McCabe to make submissions in regards to the application.

The school is only 1km from the proposed site and its chairman Simon Jacob delivered a powerful speech against the application.

“Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School has worked hard on its rural locality and the quality of the surrounding bushland,” Mr Jacob said. “Enrolment at our school brings people to Bunbury and no matter how much the company dresses up the application, we are still at a risk.

We are at a risk of contaminants, dust, noise, which is a great concern.

Head of BCGS Michael Giles said after the meeting he was pleased the application was rejected.

“Parents choose to send their children to our school primarily for the excellent educational, pastoral care, future pathways and character development opportunities ... ,” Mr Giles said.

Capel shire president Michael Southwell said the application for asphalt plant was “outrageous” and he was “sorry” this issue came to the council in the first place.

“It is certainty not compatible with the area,” Cr Southwell said.

I cannot believe the company want to put it there just for a little bit of extra profit. There are kids right nearby and my own kids as well.

Allerding & Associates senior town planner Tom Hockley said the application could have used more time for consultation with the council but also said the plan was suitable for approval.