Mangles Bay.
Camera IconMangles Bay. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mangles Bay Marina development dead in the water

Gabrielle JefferyWeekend Kwinana Courier

THE controversial Mangles Bay Marina development will not go ahead.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti announced this afternoon she had accepted a recommendation from the WA Planning Commission (WAPC) to not accept the proposal, leaving the project dead in the water.

The recommendation applied to the Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) amendment to enable a marina to be built at Point Peron.

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It also sought to rezone parts of Point Peron reserve in the City of Rockingham to facilitate the development of a marina.

That included other land use proposals around the marina such as tourism, commercial, public open space and residential.

In September 2017, WAPC considered the MRS amendment for the Mangles Bay Marina proposal and resolved to not support the amendment for final approval.

When considering the proposed MRS amendment, the Ms Saffioti accepted the WAPC reasons for withdrawal including:

– The proposed scale of the development is large compared to the overall Point Peron reserve; and

– The Rockingham Lakes Regional Park, including Lake Richmond, is an important link in a series of reserves.

A total of 496 submissions were received, with 403 from nearby suburbs objecting to the proposed amendment.

Non-supportive submissions raised issues with the environment, loss of recreational space, non-compliance with WAPC policies, regional road impacts, the scale and mix of land uses, and land tenure arrangements.

Key environmental approvals for the proposal had been granted at both State and Federal levels.

Ms Saffioti was mindful of the scale of the proposed marina development but found that, as minister, she did not have the ability to amend the advertised proposal to an extent that might be sought.

Due to that she determined the proposed amendment should be withdrawn.

As the proposal was a joint venture between Landcorp and Cedar Woods, the State Government will need to ascertain the commercial and financial implications of the decision.

After receiving 496 submissions she said it had been a major issue.

“The Mangles Bay Marina proposal has attracted significant interest in the local community and beyond,” Ms Saffioti said.

“While this State Government is keen to support new tourism projects across WA and will continue work to develop those, this proposal could not be supported given the Commission’s concerns.

“The State Government looks forward to working on alternative projects to boost jobs, and create new places for people to live and visit.”

The Commission’s Report on Submissions, including the full WAPC recommendation, can be found at http://www.planning.wa.gov.au.

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