Panel approves $11m Augusta apartments

News 05 Apr 2026

An assessment panel has approved an apartment project in the Western Australia’s South West, a development spearheaded by WS Collective founder.At a meeting on Tuesday, a Regional Development Assessment Panel (DAP) unanimously backed WS Collective’s plan to build on 74-76 Blackwood Avenue in Augusta, Margaret River.

Dave and Helen Wilson’s WS Collective’s proposal comprises a two-storey building for 10 apartments and a three-storey commercial building.

The Augusta Community Development Association opposed the $11 million development, citing concerns over the proposed height exceeding the limit in the local planning scheme.

“The development responds to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s mandated ‘Town Centre’ zoning which prescribes development beyond simple sub-divided residential lots.”

WS Collective Director, Dave Wilson

However, the DAP approved the application with the panel’s specialist member Peter Lee saying the building design had been reduced in width to keep away from neighbouring properties.”This is far less intrusive than something that might comply [with the scheme],” he said at the meeting.

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillor and DAP member Julia Jean-Rice said she had some concerns over the development but acknowledged the string of conditions attached to the approval.”I’m not 100 per cent confident that we will end up with a development that will be completely sympathetic to the town, the landscape and the amenity of the Augusta townsite,” she said.”

[But] I’m pleased to see some compromise made through some various conditions to strengthen some concerns the members have had.”

The development was designed by Plus Studio, with Hides compiling the application.

WS Collective proposes to include a shop, restaurant, golf simulation, office space and co-working in the three-storey commercial building. Mr Wilson, a part-time Augusta resident, is director of WS Collective.In its statement to Business News, WS Collective said the residential component of the project introduced much needed medium-density housing in Augusta.

“The development responds to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s mandated ‘Town Centre’ zoning which prescribes development beyond simple sub-divided residential lots,” Mr Wilson said after the DAP meeting.

“The vision for the design was to plan not only for today’s need, but where Augusta will be in the next 20 years.”

“The vision for the design was to plan not only for today’s need, but where Augusta will be in the next 20 years.”

WS Collective Director, Dave Wilson

“We’re pleased with DAP’s decision and support of the application.”WS Collective estimated construction to start in the next few years, following a phase of detailed design and statutory approvals.

RP data shows WS Collective bought the two sites on Blackwood Avenue for $925,000 last year.

WS Collective has previously built a development in Augusta, a seven-bedroom home and a commercial showroom.

This article was first published by Business News. You can find the original article here.