BHP Billiton won't stand behind Spoilbank plan

BHP Billiton has refused back Hedland's Spoilbank marina and waterfront development, despite the project recently receiving Premier Colin Barnett's backing and a $72 million commitment in the State Budget.

Town of Port Hedland planners have also begun work on a formal business case for the project after local councillors earlier this month voted in favour of building the marina at the Spoilbank.

However, a BHP Billiton spokeswoman said the miner remained unmoved and continued to back the marina's alternative site at Cooke Point, despite councillors officially rejecting the location.

"BHP Billiton supports the Town's aspiration of a waterfront and landside development in Port Hedland," she said.

"Cooke Point is in the company's view the better location for the proposed development."

BHP's opposition also comes despite government planners recently mooting a series of compromises to gain the backing of the mining industry.

Key among these was a plan to restrict residential development not only on the Spoilbank site but potentially throughout Port Hedland's entire West End.

Resources companies had expressed concerns intensive residential development in the area could lead to conflict with iron ore operations in the nearby port precinct.

"We do not oppose development in the West End, but we are seeking to ensure that there are no changes which will permit greater densification of residential development beyond existing rights," the BHP spokeswoman said.

"We are seeking to avoid what we consider will be, over the long term, a significant land-use conflict.

"We are seeking proper planning controls to be introduced to address this land use conflict."

The previously mooted Cooke Point alternative would have allowed for development of both the marina and residential complexes on one site.

The Telegraph understood BHP would not make a funding contribution to the Spoilbank marina development.

The miner has a long history of making multi-million dollar investments in community infrastructure in Hedland and Newman.