Contributing to the community

The economic benefits of the Gnarabup Project are projected to be significant for Margaret River and the south-west region, both during the construction phase and on completion as a tourism and hospitality destination.

Planning and economic consultants Urbis were engaged to conduct an independent economic impact report for the Gnarabup Project. The summary of findings include:

  • The Westin Margaret River Resort & Spa, together with the Gnarabup Village development, will provide a substantial volume of employment floorspace. The development will service the community by providing 121 five-star hotel rooms, function spaces, food and beverage spaces and 80 dwellings (comprising 51 villas, 25 apartments and four townhouses across five lots).
  • A further 216 sqm will be dedicated to ground-floor shop retail space servicing the local community and two commercial spaces.

  • Construction of the entire development will support a total of 401 full-time equivalent direct and indirect job years during construction of the development, with many accruing locally. These job estimates will add approximately $20.1 million in gross value added (GVA) to the WA economy on an annual basis. This equates to $77.1 million in total value added in the WA economy.
  • The development will support 161 ongoing jobs (directly and indirectly). There will be an estimated $27.5 million per annum of direct and indirect value-added contribution generated from the daily operation and management of the development to the WA economy.
  • The hotel is likely to have 44,092 visitor nights in a year and an estimated total expenditure of well over $9.3 million per annum.

Construction phase benefits

$118m

TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COST FOR ALL COMPONENTS

401

TOTAL FTE CONSTRUCTION JOB YEARS SUPPORTED (DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY)

$77.1m

TOTAL VALUE ADDED IN THE WA ECONOMY OVER THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE

$20.1m

VALUE ADDED IN THE WA ECONOMY PER ANNUM OVER THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Ongoing employment & economic benefits

161

Ongoing Jobs supported per annum (directly and indirectly

$27.5m

Value added in the WA Economy per annum attributable to operations on-site

$9.3m

Total estimated visitor expenditure per annum

44092

visitor nights per annum

Importantly, Urbis identified that the project also presents benefits to the local area beyond quantifiable contributions. These include:

  • providing more diverse employment opportunities to residents in the Margaret River area
  • encouraging additional visitation to Margaret River and supporting the existing businesses in the area
  • providing a skills gateway into the tourism industry through the cadet program initiated by Marriot
  • providing a landmark new building to the Margaret River area unlike anything seen before in the region
  • attracting further investment to the precinct
  • bringing new community spaces to Margaret River.

Economic impact report

To find out more about the economic benefits of the Gnarabup Project, please see the Economic Impact report prepared by Urbis.

VIEW THE REPORT

Environment FAQs

What employment opportunities will there be?

The project will provide employment opportunities both throughout construction and once the hotel opens.

The Urbis report anticipates that additional flow-on employment opportunities will evolve due to increased visitation to the area, especially in industries such as tourism.

What is the anticipated economic benefit to the community?

The development will support 161 ongoing jobs (directly and indirectly).

There will be an estimated $27.5 million per annum of direct and indirect value-added contribution to the WA economy generated from the daily operation and management of the development.

The hotel is likely to have 44,092 visitor nights in a year and an estimated total expenditure of well over $9.3 million per annum.

Which parts of the project will be available and of benefit to the community?

While there will necessarily be a number of guest-only spaces within the resort, our design incorporates a number of spaces and facilities available for public use. These include:

  • shops and commercial spaces
  • bars
  • restaurants and cafes
  • reception rooms and function spaces
  • improved parking at Gnarabup Beach
  • public open spaces and play areas
  • improved walkways, roads and emergency services access.
How did you formulate the employment and financial figures?

We engaged independent firm Urbis to conduct the research and develop the report.

For full details, see the Urbis Economic Impact Report

Will the coronavirus pandemic affect the viability of the project?

No. While the project was conceived prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the shutting of international borders in Australia has created a regional tourism boom that has further enhanced the economic and business case for the project.

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