Marina would bring in $1.3b

President Danny Stent said the chamber saw a strong need for the facilities and benefits the proposed development would bring.

‘The Mangles Bay Economic Study estimates that the economic benefit to the community would be around $1.3 billion up to 2034 with continuing benefits beyond that,’ Mr Stent said.

‘It also estimates that construction of the project would create 400 jobs. With these kinds of economic benefits, it is pretty clear why the RKCC is so strongly in favour of it.

‘If the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) was to reject it, we would understand since we have no interest in harming the environment either.’

The EPA is due to make its recommendation on the Cedar Woods inland marina proposal within weeks.

South Metropolitan MLC and Rockingham Kwinana Planning and Development Taskforce chairman Phil Edman said the community would be the loser if the project did not get approval.

‘The Mangles Bay marina has always been driven by a range of community needs and aspirations,’ Mr Edman said.

‘Safe berths for the large boating community in this region, marine service facilities, a home and facilities for boating clubs ” it would strengthen Rockingham as a tourism destination.’

Mr Stent said outright EPA rejection of the Mangles Bay proposal would make it even more important to get the Port Rockingham Marina up and running.

Mr Edman said he had always supported Port Rockingham marina and would support any proposal that could meet the community’s longstanding needs in an environmentally acceptable manner.