WA Labor leader Mark McGowan with Labor candidate for Joondalup Emily Hamilton.
Camera IconWA Labor leader Mark McGowan with Labor candidate for Joondalup Emily Hamilton. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Joondalup MLA calls on mayoral candidates to speak up on Ocean Reef Marina views

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

JOONDALUP MLA Emily Hamilton is calling on the Joondalup mayoral candidates to make their views on the Ocean Reef Marina known.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Ms Hamilton said she had received many phone calls from local residents asking what the local council election means for the marina project.

“It worries me that the Joondalup mayoral election is very much focused on the State Government progressing the Ocean Reef Marina development,” she said.

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“The State Government will continue, through LandCorp, as the lead proponent.

“The Government will bear the financial risk but it needs support, financial and otherwise, from the City to deliver this project.

“It will require financial contributions and land swaps from the local council.

“It is true that there has been significant investment in the marina by the City of Joondalup, which sits at around the $5 million mark.

“It needs to be a joint project but the words used in the election materials of the mayoral candidates seem to suggest that the Ocean Reef Marina should now progress as a sole State Government responsibility, which concerns me.”

She said people voting in the election needed to “know what the candidates stand for”.

“I call on all local mayoral candidates for the City of Joondalup to declare that the City of Joondalup will continue to play its role and remain a partner with the State Government on this significant development.

“I call on them to clearly outline the funding and resources that the City will provide, which is what we did during the election campaign.

“What is their vision and what contribution should the City make to the marina?

“Local residents and local community organisations such as the Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue Group and the Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club need to know that the City is committed to help fund their new facilities.”

Ms Hamilton encouraged residents to vote in the local government election, which closes on October 21.

“I am looking forward to working with any of the locally elected representatives and the City of Joondalup to continue to deliver for the Joondalup electorate,” she said.

The State Government last month announced $120 million for the Ocean Reef Marina project, with $34.5 million to kickstart the project and construction to start in 2020.

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