EPA is close to granting extension

A proposal to build a marina at Wanliss Street in Rockingham is not dead in the water, with the proponent close to being granted a five-year extension to complete the project from the Environmental Protection Agency, theTelegraph can reveal.

Devx was initially the driver of the Port Rockingham Marina proposal, which included a $35 million marina, 500 boat pens, 4000sqm of commercial floor space and a 600-bay car park.

However, after the company went into administration in 2011, a new company, Aureus Property, was formed, led by Rockingham businessman Paul Ogilvie.

Aureus had environmental approval to proceed with the project up until February last year, but last month applied to have the regulatory approval extended until February 2020 — with this looking likely to be granted.

“The EPA has completed its inquiry into the extension of timeframe for substantial commencement of the Port Rockingham Marina proposal and has recommended to the Minister for Environment that ... the timeframe for substantial commencement to be extended by a further five years, to February 2020,” a spokeswoman said.

“The Minister for Environment is currently consulting with other decision-making authorities before making a final decision.”

Mr Ogilvie declined comment when contacted by theTelegraph and refused to be drawn on whether he had new financial partners to help fund the project.

The potential EPA extension has been celebrated on social media by opponents of the contentious Mangles Bay Marina proposal.

The Landcorp and Cedar Woods-backed proposal sits with WA Planning Commission and has met with staunch opposition in some corners of the Rockingham community.

Greens MLC for the South Metropolitan region Lynn MacLaren said if a marina was needed, Wanliss Street was a “far better choice” than the current proposal’s location of Point Peron.

“The Port Rockingham marina proposal for a deep water location adjacent to Wanliss Street will have much less impact on seagrass, fish populations, coastal bushland and Lake Richmond than an inland marina and canal housing estate at Mangles Bay,” she said.

“The Greens will continue pressuring the Barnett Government to drop this project and avoid irretrievably damaging the marine environment and Point Peron peninsular.”

Landcorp general manager John Hackett said the organisation and Cedar Woods were committed to delivering the Mangles Bay Marina project, but refused to elaborate further.

City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said the city had not received a development application from Aureus and there had been no consultation with the proponent.

However, the City’s planning framework does take into account a possible marina at Wanliss Street — which could be instead of, or in addition to, the Mangles Bay proposal.

“The City supports any project that delivers economic development and tourism outcomes. The City’s planning framework caters for the possible development of an offshore marina at the end of Wanliss Street,” he said.

“This framework doesn’t rely on the marina proceeding but recognises it could act as a catalyst for redevelopment. It recognises there could be significant scope for complementary development in the adjoining precinct.

Any proposal from Aureus would be at the determination of the WAPC, with the City offering a recommendation.