Mid-2020 vision for marina,2020 vision for marina

Hedland’s Spoilbank marina stage one works would be completed by mid-2020 and likely include 50 boat pens and a two-lane boat ramp, council documents reveal.

Released for debate at tonight’s council meeting, the Town of Port Hedland marina and waterfront development business plan gives residents their first chance to look at more detailed costings for the long-talked-about $152 million project.

Town economic development officer Brie Holland wrote in her report to council that stage one works would deliver land ready for a variety of uses.

These included sites for boat repair services, three retail areas, a caravan park, community cultural centre and public square.

“If the business plan is approved, it is anticipated that stage one works will not be completed until 2020,” Ms Holland said.

“Planning and Environmental approvals should be obtained by late 2017 and both the caravan park and cultural centre sites be completed by late 2019, with the marina to be completed halfway into 2020.”

Her comments come as the future of the waterfront development still hangs in the balance. State Cabinet is expected to decide within weeks whether to release $112 million for the project.

The Government had promised the money in 2012 before the partners, LandCorp and the Town, were forced to scrap plans to build hotels and apartments on the site.

The revision came after the State’s environmental regulator expressed concern dust in the area could pose health risks to those living on the site

According to the Town’s revised business plan, the first stage would initially involve the construction of a marina with 50 boat pens that could then be expanded to 150 or 250 pens as needed in the future.

“(There would also be) associated infrastructure, including a two-lane boat ramp, vehicle and trailer parking, breakwaters, revetments, a separate channel, refuelling jetty and tank farm,” the report stated.

“The first stage of the project will also deliver a number of sites within the waterfront precinct, which will be suitable for … development by the Town or private developers at a later date.”

These included boat repair and service facilities, a caravan park and public square with up to three retail or commercial sites, plus incorporating the yacht club, RSL and TS Pilbara.

There would also be land made ready for a community cultural centre and a big event or public space, which might include a lagoon swimming pool.

While supporters of the marina and waterfront development, such as Nationals Leader Brendon Grylls and acting mayor Camilo Blanco, have hailed it as a game-changing project that would diversify the local economy, it also presents economic challenges.

The Town’s financial modelling revealed a fully developed waterfront could leave it footing annual maintenance and operational costs of $8.12 million. With the Town’s financial plan only allocating $1.164 million to cover this expense, officials predicted it could create a $6.96 million shortfall.