An artist’s impression of the planned Ocean Reef Marina, which has been the subject of community forums held recently.
Camera IconAn artist’s impression of the planned Ocean Reef Marina, which has been the subject of community forums held recently. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Benefits far outweigh losses

Staff ReporterWanneroo Times

‘There’s nothing quite like the interface of the water and boardwalks and people and food and beverage and boats and the ability to look out over that asset and enjoy it and not just for the view but the amenity,’ he said at a recent community forum to discuss the proposed marina. ‘All amenities have a public edge. There won’t be any privatised edges of water. They will all be public.’

He said the current key issue regarding the structures to be built was height and view lines.

He said buildings in the centre of the development would be five, six or nine storeys and housing areas to the north and south would be a maximum of three storeys, but buildings would be oriented to ensure residents would still have a view.

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Environmental consultant Darren Walsh said there were also marine and land-based issues that needed to be considered, including land designated to Bush Forever.

‘One key issue requiring considerable focus and management through the environmental process is the fact that the marina in its new form will move into the existing Marmion Marine Park.

‘Currently the marine park skirts around the existing facility but we will be moving the marine park boundaries.’

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said there was ‘one strip of high quality vegetation’ that was proposed to be lost but most of it would be retained. ‘I think the net benefit of a development like this for the community outweighs the small loss of vegetation and maritime environment,’ he said.

‘I’m comfortable that we have put ourselves in a very strong position to get through the relevant regulatory approval stages which we are now facing,’ he said.

Mr Pickard said there were also proposals to make Hodges Drive and Ocean Reef Road dual carriageways and there would be significant parking, including 3000 underground car bays.

‘It will generate enough visits, I believe, to warrant a high-frequency CAT service feeding from the city centre to Ocean Reef Marina,’ he said.