EPA recommends approval for Ocean Reef Marina proposal

Release date: 
February 25, 2019

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended Landcorp’s Ocean Reef Marina proposal is environmentally acceptable and could proceed with strict conditions.
In its Report released today, the EPA recommended nine conditions on the Ocean Reef proposal including;

  • further investigations and management plan are carried out to minimise impacts to the nearby beaches;
  • requirements for monitoring and management plans to ensure the proposal will avoid or minimise impacts to water quality and marine habitats outside the marina; and
  • offsetting the residual impacts to the marine environment by requiring the proponent to implement actions to improve the health of reef habitats in the Marmion Marine Park.

In making the recommendations EPA Chair Dr Tom Hatton said the proposal represented challenges for the local marine environment, however these could be adequately managed.

“Central to the EPA’s assessment were the environmental values of the Marmion Marine Park, particularly the loss of sensitive reef habitats that support diverse marine life and abalone,” Dr Hatton said.

“We found if the Ocean Reef Marina was implemented with proper management and monitoring plans in place, the environmental values of the marine park could be protected and there would be no adverse impacts on the water quality outside the marina.”

The Ocean Reef Marina proposal is located at the existing Ocean Reef Boat Harbour, and a portion of the marina occurs within the Marmion Marine Park.
Landcorp proposes to redevelop and expand the existing facilities, including;

  • two new breakwaters;
  • dredging of sand and rock;
  • the construction of jetties to support piled boat mooring pens; and
  • piling works for approximately 750 new boat pens.

The EPA’s report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period, closing Monday 11 March 2019. Appeals can be made at www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au

Given the broader implications of the proposal on the boundary and management of the Marmion Marine Park and also recreational abalone fishers, the EPA saw fit to provide high level advice to the Minister about Government agencies working together to address these matters.

The Minister for Environment will make the final decision.

EPA Report 1629 is available at http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/proposals/ocean-reef-marina

Media Contact: Vivienne Ryan on 0400 866 450

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