Tone softens on Spoilbank marina plan

BHP Billiton’s iron ore boss appears to have softened his company’s opposition to the Spoilbank marina project.

Speaking at last week’s Chamber of Commerce-run Hedland Economic and Resources Forum, BHP’s WA iron ore asset president Edgar Basto said residents needed to understand the miner had to plan ahead for risks to its business.

However, in a change of language compared to statements issued under previous iron ore boss Jimmy Wilson, Mr Basto appeared to indicate an outcome could be negotiated that was mutually acceptable to Hedland port users and supporters of the marina.

“We … support the aspirations for a waterfront development, it is a great idea,” he said.

“We expressed our views at some time in terms of what could be the best location for such a development. We believe potentially locating it close to the port presents some challenges.

“But … someone needs to work around that and we need to make sure that the potential issues are highlighted.”

Mr Basto’s comments come as Minister for State Development Bill Marmion earlier in the forum told attendees the State Government had backed the project by allocating $112 million in funding as part of its forward budgets.

State land developer LandCorp is also due to present the State Cabinet with a final business case for the project this month.

Expected to include a marina, an arts precinct, cafes, restaurants and open spaces, the Town of Port Hedland council voted to push ahead with the Spoilbank development in May, 2015.

A BHP spokeswoman said at the time the company would support the waterfront development if it was in an alternative location.

“Cooke Point is in the company’s view the better location for the proposed development,” she said.