Roy Hill voices concerns over marina

Roy Hill has added its voice to concerns a Spoilbank marina would lead to conflict between small fishing boats and large iron ore carriers using Port Hedland Port’s shipping channel.

Hedland’s port operator the Pilbara Ports Authority earlier this year opposed plans to build a marina for small boats on the Spoilbank’s western edge, claiming it created too much risk to iron ore shipping.

Roy Hill chief executive Barry Fitzgerald said he respected the port authority’s view because the continued flow of income generated by iron ore miners near Hedland relied on the smooth operation of the shipping channel.

“As a business, we are very dependent on the capacity of the channel,” he said.

“It is obviously fundamental to us as a business that we need to maintain the security to export, otherwise we have no business and therefore there would be no Port Hedland as well.

“So we have a view that obviously the community has got to work through the matters and there (are) significant business issues, which need to be addressed.”

Mr Fitzgerald’s comment comes as the Town of Port Hedland held a meeting on Monday to inform community members of progress on the multi-million dollar project, which is expected to include a marina, community open spaces and restaurants and cafes.

Town of Port Hedland chief executive Mal Osborne said the recent State Government Budget revealed Premier Colin Barnett intended to begin releasing the State’s $112 million funding for the project in 2017-18.

The Town also intends to appoint a project advocate to help push the development ahead in the shortest time possible.

Despite its concerns over the shipping channel, Roy Hill are also believed to have given their support to plans to build an Aboriginal cultural centre on the Spoilbank.

Roy Hill Community Foundation chairman Barry Fitzgerald said the group were working with Pilbara traditional owners on the project.

“It is primarily driven by them and their needs and their aspirations,” he said.

“We are working with them and that comes back to (what the) location and style (of the cultural centre will be).

“We are (also) … working with them to identify a … long-term integration of a number of assets (into the centre in) a way that will be sustainable.”