The green light has been given to the $152 million Spoilbank Marina project in Port Hedland and the State Government is giving its full commitment to the development.
According to Premier Collin Barnett, the State Government will be contributing a total of $112 million in funds – comprising of $72 million from Royalties for Regions and $40 million from consolidated funds. The Town of Port Hedland will also be contributing $40 million to this project.
“The project will create a high-quality community waterfront asset with the potential to change the face of Port Hedland.
“The plan provides for a marina with capacity for between 100-150 boat pens with 50 boat pens in the first stage, a two-lane boat ramp, plenty of vehicle and trailer parking and opportunities for boat repair and service facilities,” Mr Barnett said.
Eventually, the marina will also include various public outdoor spaces with three sites for food and beverage operators as well as large landscaped areas, a caravan park space, and a cultural and community centre.
The Spoilbank Marina project will be delivering the required recreational facilities as well as unlock the precinct’s potential as a tourist destination. The project will also help create business and open up to 300 jobs during construction and ongoing jobs once the marina is fully operational.
Once the new marina is up and running, local boaties will have a safer and dedicated launching facility that’s on a separate channel from large commercial vessels which services Western Australia’s large bulk export facility.
According to Regional Development and Lands Minister Terry Redman, the revised plan for the marina will balance the needs of the local recreational boating community and the needs of the industry.
“The Spoilbank was originally a place to deposit sediment from dredging and the marina will transform an under-utilised Port Hedland landmark into a vibrant community, recreational and tourism asset.
“Boating, fishing and diving play a big part in Hedland life and the Spoilbank facilities will provide a safer launching facility for local boaties while incorporating an asset such as the proposed cultural and community centre, which can be used by the whole community,” Mr Redman said.
LandCorp will be managing the delivery of Port Hedland’s Spoilbank Marina and it is expected to be fully operational by 2020.
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Source: Government of Western Australia and LandCorp