A new major milestone has been reached on the Ocean Reef Marina development in Western Australia, with the environmental approval granted to the marine section of the project.
This approval will pave the way for construction to begin next year.
The environmental approval, however, comes with strict conditions that need to be followed. The conditions include creating a monitoring and management plan that will ensure impacts to marine water quality, habitats outside the marina and adjacent beaches are minimised; and provide measures to improve the management and protection of similar nearshore habitats in the Marmion Marine Park.
“The environmental approval for the marine portion of Ocean Reef Marina marks an important step forward for this long-awaited project, and allows detailed planning to progress.
“The McGowan Government is strongly committed to sustainable development, and we want to ensure this iconic project provides the amenities and features the community wants and is delivered in an environmentally responsible and sensitive way,” Lands Minister Ben Wyatt said.
The State Government will continue working with the City of Joondalup together with key stakeholders including the Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club, the Joondalup City RSL and the Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue Group as well as the local community and Community Reference Group through LandCorp to ensure that this development will echo the needs and views of locals.
“It’s important we balance the environmental impacts during this process to protect our unique coastline.
“There has been extensive community consultation to get to this point and I look forward to the project coming to fruition,” Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said.
Key features of the development include:
Other proposed features will include a waterslide and aqua play area, protected swimming area, improved marine edge treatment, pontoon and snorkel trail.
The Ocean Reef Marina is going to be located at the western end of Hodges Drive, approximately 28 kilometres north of the Perth CBD and 5 kilometres west of Joondalup City Centre.
Once completed, the development will increase commercial, recreational and residential activity on the coast.
“This project will transform my electorate, becoming a key economic driver in the region. It will deliver local jobs, put Joondalup on the map as a tourism destination along with being a fantastic location to interact with our pristine coastline and spend time with your family,” Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton said.
Construction of the Ocean Reef Marina is expected to begin in late 2020 and will support more than 900 local jobs.
The Western Australian Government has currently invested $120 million towards the delivery of this project, with further funding to be raised through private sector investments.
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Source: Government of Western Australia; Joondalup Times Community; The West Australian; LandCorp (1, 2)