Rous Head Marina

Extract from Hansard
[COUNCIL - Thursday, 18 November 2010]
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Hon Lynn MacLaren; Hon Simon O'Brien

ROUS HEAD MARINA

963. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the recreational marina planned for Rous Head harbour at Fremantle.
(1) Can the minister clarify whether the type of development sought by the government for reclaimed land
at Rous Head harbour will be —
(a) predominantly boat pens and ferry terminals with supporting infrastructure; or
(b) a commercial development, with the added attractor of waterfront location with boat pens?
(2) What percentage of the nominated 6.72 hectares will remain for boat pens and what percentage will be
reclaimed and used for the stated office and shop development?
(3) Will the government mandate boat-launching facilities in the form of boat ramps and associated
parking?
(4) How will clashes between recreational boat owners and commercial vessels using Rous Head harbour
be addressed?

Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question.
(1) (a–b) The proposed facility has been conceptualised as an integrated marina development, meaning
that the fundamental elements of the design include both boat pens, with additional boat
storage in an onshore boat-stacking facility, and complementary onshore commercial
development. The inclusion of a ferry terminal is an option only for developers to consider and
has not been mandated.
It is not envisaged that the site will be only either boat pens or commercial development;
instead, it is envisaged that the site will combine meaningful elements of both uses to
maximise the development’s utility for both recreational boat owners and the broader
community. For further detail, I refer the honourable member to the expressions of interest
document prepared by Fremantle Port Authority, which outlines the type of development for
which proposals have been invited. The document is available on the Fremantle Ports website
and from Fremantle Ports.
(2) This will be a matter for developers to propose in response to the expressions of interest document.
(3) No.
(4) Fremantle Ports is investigating a vessel signalling system to control access to and from Rous Head
harbour, to minimise the risk of conflict between marina and commercial shipping traffic. The boundary
of the marina site has also been positioned to ensure that a 50-metre-wide channel remains around its
perimeter for the safe movement of vessels to and from existing operations, including the Rottnest
Express facility.