Smiths Beach: What's in it for me. Part 1 - Bill Mitchell

Mitchell & Farina. What were the motives of these strange 'bedfellows' in opposing the Smiths Beach development?

The Desert Rat in this article, intended to explore the relationship between multi-millionaire developer Bill Mitchell and Labor MLC Adele Farina and how they came to work together in their opposition to David McKenzie's Smiths Beach development. Did these strange Liberal - Labor 'bedfellows' have common motives?

Part 1 looks at the more simple picture that emerged of Bill Mitchell's motives for opposing the Smiths Beach development.

Bill Mitchell has condemned the relationship between Brian Burke and Noel Creighton-Browne who were working for David McKenzie on the Smiths Beach development - on the basis that their politics were different.

Bill Mitchell told gullible ideologue Liz Jackson of ABC TV's Four Corners:

"I was very surprised because I thought with the Liberal-Labor poles apart.."

That shallow bit of public hypocrisy was no impediment for Bill Mitchell to work closely with Labor MLC Adele Farina in lobbying against the Smiths Beach development.

Mitchell can hardly claim opposition on environmental grounds given his own carnage along the Cape. Nor would it interfere with his surfing - more likely floating these days.

The Smiths Beach development will certainly interfere with the view from his Smiths Beach property, so that is a strong reason for his opposition.

There is certainly some jealously that David McKenzie secured the property back in 1986. Who was the other determined potential buyer who David McKenzie outbid in 1986? The Desert Rat does not know and has, as yet, been unable to find out.

The Desert Rat thinks Mitchell and many others would love to pick over Smiths Beach if the proponents become financially stressed and sell because of inordinate delays. Long delays in the project and costly Corruption and Crime Commission generated legal costs have increased the financial risk of the project for David McKenzie.

Bill Mitchell also told Liz Jackson on ABC TV Four Corners

"I couldn't imagine a property development that would be more profitable than this one anywhere in the State, so what's at stake - massive profits, the bigger the development, the bigger the profits."

That in itself is a powerful motive - but the Desert Rat wonders if there may be more honourable motives.

Mitchell greatly appreciated the help of Labor MLC Adele Farina in his opposition to Smiths Beach. In an emotional outburst before the 2006 election Mitchell felt compelled to issue this rather unctuous media release:

Farina to be congratulated

BILL MITCHELL, SMITHS BEACH

13/12/2006 12:00:19 PM

ADELE Farina is to be acknowledged and congratulated as a woman of high integrity who demonstrated enormous courage under fire.

This endorsement is from a Liberal voter.

I know the intense pressure and intimidation she was under from Burke. As a consultant I was appointed by him to restructure the West Australian football industry, the Public Works Department. and greyhound industry in the 1980s.

He was and is a huge political figure who always got his way.

Adele by not being prepared to trade-off the community values she endorses and represents is prepared to put her career on the line in a stand for principles and ethics.

A rare performance in today's political arena. I and the community commend you.

Whatever the motive may be, Mitchell has successfully garnered the support of the CCC and all their resources in his Smiths Beach Action Group campaign.

Who is the meat in all this self interest and politicking? It is a decent guy named David McKenzie who has a dream of establishing a development that fits in with Smiths Beach in a sensitive way, thatis consistent with planning requirements and allows many more people to enjoy this beautiful place.

There are no Bill Mitchell style 10 metre high sand pads planned for houses in the Smiths Beach development and no views will be interrupted from the ridges. Bill Mitchell's vista from his Smiths Beach property will overlook the McKenzie's development and be affected.

The Desert Rat's not sure if the view from the sand pad perched, grandiose $2 million Cowaramup mansion, is compromised.

Postscript: The truth of the matter about the reports Mitchell brags about in his self-aggrandising media release above (his nickname in some quarters is FIG JAM), is they they were poor and had to be rewritten by John Horgan.