Marina canal push could be dropped

The proponents of the Mangles Bay Marina proposal are ready to scrap the canals element of the project if necessary to get sign-off from the WA Government, sources close to the Telegraph state.

As reported in this paper last week, the divisive proposal was back in front of the WA Planning Commission last Wednesday, with seven stakeholders, including the City of Rockingham, presenting on it at a meeting in Perth.

The WAPC is assessing a possible amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme to rezone the required land for the potential marina to urban.

However, the canals element of the proposal has been condemned by environmental groups, with concerns they would not flush, thereby increasing the risk of algae blooms in Mangles Bay — similar to those blamed for the fish kill of 2015 in the Cockburn Sound.

Premier Mark McGowan has also been a vocal opponent of canals, reiterating his stance he supports a tourist-oriented development but not one that includes canals.

LandCorp would not reply to questions about the proposal’s design or suggestions canals could be removed from the project, stating it was yet to be contacted by the WAPC regarding an outcome.

The City of Rockingham would also not comment on the canals aspect of the proposal and stated all inquiries should be answered by the proponents. Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the City’s deputation was an extension of its written submission on the MRS amendment.

“The written submission requested resolution on unresolved matters prior to the amendment proceeding to final approval, including the configuration of the foreshore reserve and the management of the marina water body,” he said.

“The City would like the unresolved matters to be addressed prior to the MRS amendment being recommended for final approval.”

A WAPC spokeswoman would not specify timescales for an expected outcome. She said the recommendation would be presented to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti once reached.