Marina decision rests with minister

The fate of the Mangles Bay Marina proposal lies in the hands of Planning Minister Rita Saffioti, who will make a decision whether to rezone the required land in a “timely manner.”

The divisive project, driven by proponents Landcorp and Cedar Woods, proposes a marina with residential and commercial opportunities in Rockingham.

The WA Planning Commission has been considering the possible rezoning of the land on Point Peron Road to urban, which if approved would move the project one step closer to becoming a reality.

The Commission confirmed it has made its recommendation on the potential Metropolitan Region Scheme Amendment and presented it to Ms Saffioti – but would not confirm what the recommendation was.

This follows a number of public consultation periods with relevant stakeholders in 2016 and earlier this year.

Ms Saffioti said she would give the recommendation careful consideration.

“Consideration of the Metropolitan Region Scheme Amendment 1280/41 in relation to Mangles Bay is in progress and the pending decision will shape the State Government’s next steps in the planning process for the area,” she said.

“I will review all of the information provided to me, which is considerable and complex, and will endeavour to make that decision in a timely manner.”

Landcorp general manager of metropolitan and industrial John Hackett said his organisation had not been contacted formally by the WAPC in regards to an outcome.

Cedar Woods has released its 2017 annual report and addressed the proposal, stating there had been planning delays - but the document’s author seemed confident of the project going ahead.

“It is now expected that completion of statutory planning will be achieved in mid financial year 2018 with construction to occur in mid financial year 2019,” it reads.

The Telegraph reported earlier this year that sources suggested the proponents were willing to amend the proposal to scrap the contentious canals aspect to potentially get planning approval granted.

However, the WAPC and Ms Saffioti’s office would not comment on whether the current rezoning recommendation was based on the initial proposal or one with the canals removed.