Plans revealed for Gnomesville

Gnomesville’s long-term future is a step closer to being sorted after Dardanup Shire Council formally passed a multi-step action plan.

The council agreed at last week’s meeting to draft a management plan for the popular tourist attraction, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2016.

Signage outlining the Gnomesville boundaries will be placed at the site within six weeks and a group called Friends of Gnomesville will also be formed.

At the meeting, shire president Mick Bennett forced a change to the proposed wording for signage to say gnomes found on private property would instead be relocated rather than removed.

Cr Bennett said there was “no easy solution” to a number of issues in the area, including parking, boundaries, flooding risks and possible commercialisation.

Feedback received from a public meeting in July and presentation to the council last month formed part of the council’s planning.

“We agree with a fair bit of what was said and council will work up a plan for the area,” Cr Bennett told theSouth Western Times .

“It is a unique and pristine icon and it takes a bit of time to get things done.

“We have something on the books now that will guide what we do.”

One of the issues relates to possible fencing to help define the boundaries of Gnomesville.

Shire chief executive officer Mark Chester’s report noted the neighbouring landowners had requested a fence be constructed that was strong and high enough to prevent trespassers.

Cr Bennett said the council was conscious of making changes that could destroy Gnomesville’s “uniqueness”, but a suitable fence style would be decided upon that also did not increase the area’s flood risk.

“We need to be mindful of the fact the ambience of the place would be taken away if we had a great wall,” he said.

“We probably need to mitigate against the risk of flooding but think we can get it under control.”

The council will also consider the possibility to commercialise Gnomesville in the future, but noted there was no strong support from residents for this.

Cr Bennett said the whole process would take “a couple of years” but was looking forward to work starting.