The Town of Port Hedland has tweaked its plans for a $152 million marina development at its Spoilbank site, removing all residential aspects of it because of environmental concerns over the project.
The marina was originally proposed to include a hotel and residential developments, but it failed to win a nod of approval from the Environmental Protection Authority last year because of potential negative health impacts because of its proximity to minerals stockpiles.
Port Hedland councillors endorsed a new plan for a Spoilbank marina at a meeting last night, following LandCorp exploring other options in July last year.
A health risk assessment focusing on the dust is due to be released by the middle of the year, while environmental studies have already been completed.
Mayor Kelly Howlett said the proposal that was endorsed will have 100 boat pens and four boat launching ramps, a lagoon swimming facility, events space, as well as commercial and retail space.
The project will not include any residential development, Ms Howlett said.
“However it is worth noting that the state government has recently announced the Finbar development on the old hospital site which is in close proximity to the proposed marina,” she said.
“Council also endorsed the investigation of town planning controls for the West End area to restrict further densification of residential development.”
Finbar Group’s development comprises a $390 million, 713-dwelling project in total, which will be built in stages subject to market demand.
The apartment developer purchased the site from LandCorp in a near-$6 million deal announced last month.
The project will only proceed if it wins development approval and relevant pre-sales targets are achieved.
The next step for the Town of Port Hedland and its Spoilbank project are the presentation of a business case and negotiations with the state government.
The state government has committed $112 million to the plan, while the Town of Port Hedland will pitch in $40 million.
