$35m marina plan finds support

A possible new marina development at Wanliss Street in Rockingham has been backed by tourism chiefs and the business community in the past week.

The Telegraph broke the news the Port Rockingham Marina project had been resurrected by businessman Paul Ogilvie in last week’s edition, with a development application lodged. If the $35 million proposal goes ahead, it would include 500 boat pens, up to 600 parking spaces and 4500sqm of retail space created on the Rockingham foreshore.

Rockingham Visitor Centre manager Scott Hewitt said the development could be a driver for overseas, interstate and Perth-based tourists to visit the city.

“I think it would be great — we obviously do not have facilities to that extent here currently and the Wanliss Street development would be a real boost for tourism in the city,” he said. “People could come down on a sailing day trip from Perth and Fremantle; it would be a nice sail and boost Rockingham’s tourism businesses.

“Everyone can see how popular Hillarys Boat Harbour is as a destination in its own right.

“I can’t see any negatives from that sort of development — I wish the guys good luck and hopefully we see something very soon.”

Rustico Tapas and Bar owner Vanessa Phillipson is another Rockingham businessperson to throw her weight behind the project.

“With so many successful marina developments up and down the west coast and all over the world, it is certainly a gap in what Rockingham offers to residents and tourists that love our coastal lifestyle,” she said.

“From a safety perspective, boat owners will have enhanced facilities ... imagine new access to day trips to Rottnest and daily sailing tours around Garden and Penguin islands — a marina would bring these new activities and more.”