Subiaco-based Palassis Architects is to lead consulting to work on a master plan aimed at reviving the historic town of Cossack.
Housing, Works and Heritage Minister Francis Logan has commissioned the master plan to identify long-term strategies for breathing new life into the Pilbara ghost town, located 40km north of Karratha.
Mr Logan said the master plan would be compiled by the Department of Housing and Works, in consultation with the Heritage Council of WA, the Shire of Roebourne and other key stakeholders.
"Palassis Architects has an enviable record with its work on the Fremantle Prison master plan which involved broad community consultation and the preservation of significant zones within the precinct," he said.
"The firm is well aware of the historic parallels between Fremantle Prison and Cossack.
"The company will liaise with associate consultants to create a strategy aimed at giving Cossack another chance at a sustainable future, built on heritage tourism and residential land sales.
"The scope of their work will include identifying and collating relevant source material regarding the settlement of Cossack, conducting focus groups and liaising with consultants on Aboriginal heritage, archaeology, environment, communications, engineering and tourism."
Mr Logan said the master plan would also contain recommendations for heritage tourism activities on nearby Jarman Island, recognise the importance of the Cossack town centre and make sure future development was compatible with existing buildings.
"The State Government believes that a combination of tourism, commercial and residential land development will be the catalysts for reviving Cossack for the enjoyment of permanent residents and the ever-increasing numbers of tourists who visit the historic precinct each year," he said.
