Spoilbank group reforms

The Town of Port Hedland has reformed its Spoilbank marina working group with a plea for the entire community to present a united voice in driving the project forward.

Up to 30 community members listened at the April 4 meeting as the Town and State land developer LandCorp advised it would be submitting a business and social case to build the marina to State Cabinet in August.

The submission will be crucial to ensuring the State Government releases the $112 million it has earmarked for the project.

However, the marina has been beset by delays since the State environmental regulator raised concerns about the impact of dust on the development.

The Pilbara Ports Authority came out in February as the latest group to oppose the project, after BHP Billiton had long expressed its objections.

Town of Port Hedland chief executive Mal Osborne described the Town and LandCorp’s efforts to please Hedland’s industry and State Government departments as a process of herding cats.

However, he said it was critical community members united and continued to work towards a vision in which all parties supported the marina.

With deputy mayor Camilo Blanco describing the marina as an economic and social game changer for Hedland, the marina group has pledged to meet monthly to continue to update the community on the project’s progress.

Cr Blanco said the project would likely be a “slow burner” that took time to develop or attract businesses once built, but would inevitably transform the town by promoting industries such as tourism and charter fishing.