Criticism threatens marina plan: MP

Hedland residents’ criticism of the State Government’s Royalties for Regions funding program could derail the town’s proposed Spoilbank marina development, Nationals MP Jacqui Boydell has warned.

The State Government has earmarked $112 million for the waterfront development, which is expected to include a marina, an arts precinct, cafes, restaurants and open spaces.

To secure the funding, State land developer LandCorp and the Town of Port Hedland must first present a compelling business case to the State Government in August.

But Ms Boydell said this task had been made harder after residents last month criticised the cost of maintaining South Hedland community facilities built using Royalties for Regions funding.

“Be careful what you wish for if you are saying ‘don’t invest here, we can’t afford it, but on the other hand please deliver a marina’,” she said.

“It is the (kind of argument that will) shoot yourself in the foot.”

Ms Boydell’s warning came after political opponents of the Royalties for Regions program last month seized on comments by Port Hedland Ratepayers’ Association president Roger Higgins.

Mr Higgins claimed planners built too many South Hedland community facilities using State funding.

He said where the Government had constructed a separate water park, swimming pool, sports stadium and skate park, it could have combined them into one facility to cut costs.

Mr Higgins said ratepayers now faced excessive bills to cover the maintenance and long-term replacement costs of these and other facilities.

But Ms Boydell said the Pilbara had suffered from a lack of State Government investment for the past 50 years.

She said the Royalties for Regions program had been the first time a government looked beyond the boom and bust of the region’s mining cycle and invested with a long-term outlook.

Ms Boydell said the facilities had been well planned and were critical to growth.

“I would say to the ratepayers’ association it is projects and facilities like water parks (and) aquatic centres that attract families,” she said.

“It (makes Hedland a) more liveable community and that adds to your ratepayer base.

“Not one person I have spoken to ... has told me (they are) a waste of money.”