By Alistair Bates

ABC Pilbara

Topic: Regional Development and Planning

Thursday, 14 May 2026, at 5:19 pm

An artist's impression of the Exmouth resort's hillside villas.

In short:

Andrew Forrest's plan for an Exmouth eco-resort has been approved.

The Ningaloo Lighthouse Resort was reduced in size due to environmental concerns.

What's next?

Construction start date not confirmed.

Andrew Forrest's $70 million resort plan has been approved after years of delays.

In 2017, Forrest bought the Ningaloo Lighthouse Resort property to develop an eco-tourism site.

The initial $85 million plan was withdrawn due to environmental and cultural concerns.

Efforts to give the resort beach access were stopped to protect an Aboriginal site.

Andrew Forrest first submitted plans for the Ningaloo Reef site in 2017.

A revised plan was submitted, reducing the footprint by $15 million and 400 guests.

The application was approved with minor changes.

Z1Z Resorts is working through the conditions and has agreed to the changes.

No timeframe for construction or opening has been confirmed.

The project will work with the community as it progresses.

Environmental concerns

The larger resort plan was approved with measures to protect wildlife and cultural sites.

Special lighting will be used to minimize the impact on sea turtles and shorebirds.

The project is unlikely to be assessed again by the EPA due to its reduced size.

The plan involves converting the lighthouse keepers' quarters into a hotel and building villas.

A concept image of the Ningaloo Lighthouse Resort.

Almost four hectares of native vegetation will be cleared.

The property is in a registered Aboriginal heritage area, Vlamingh Head.

Z1Z Resorts has obtained approval from the minister for Aboriginal affairs and is consulting with traditional owners.

The Australian Marine Conservation Society chief executive previously opposed the development but now supports it.

The resort will source water from groundwater bores and recycle wastewater.

There are concerns about the impact on the region's groundwater stores and ecosystems.

The proposal should adopt contemporary energy and water efficient processes.

Boost for cyclone-hit town

Exmouth Chamber of Commerce president David Gillespie has groundwater concerns.

A seawater desalination plant will be built in Exmouth by 2030.

The local drinking water scheme is already approaching capacity.

The project is a welcome economic reprieve for Exmouth after ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The category-four system damaged homes and businesses, including the largest resort.

Exmouth will take at least 18 months to recover.

Andrew Forrest has a marine research facility in Exmouth.

The resort will be a great asset to Exmouth once it's built and open.

Thursday, 14 May 2026, at 5:19 pm

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