Annual Report 2008-2009 - Department of Transport

Exmouth Boat Harbour expansion
For several years, there has been strong demand from both the commercial
and recreational, boating sectors to provide additional infrastructure at
Exmouth to accommodate increases in the size and numbers of vessels,
as well as the fleet servicing the nearby offshore oil and gas operations.
The development of an expanded harbour facility will bring to the Exmouth
community a new industry base to support the current tourism focus.
The Minister for Transport approved the calling of expressions of interest
for the expansion of the Exmouth Boat Harbour to accommodate these
demands, with all development costs associated with the expansion proposal
to be met by the proponent. This process resulted in two proponents being
assessed as suitable to proceed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase.
The Minister for Transport also established a steering committee of
community, local and State Government representatives to oversee this
process. Major stakeholder and community consultation was conducted in
May and June 2008 to determine support for the expansion of the harbour.
The Exmouth Harbour Development Community Consultation Report
was endorsed by the Steering Committee and signed off by the Minister
in December 2008 with an endorsement to proceed to the RFP phase. The
Department’s Coastal Infrastructure Business Unit is currently liaising with
key government stakeholders to progress the development of the RFP.
*This activity also relates to Goal 4.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine
Working on water certificate
At the commencement 2008–09, the Department proposed implementing a
certificate called ‘Working on Water’ aimed at providing a useful employment
qualification for people engaged as vessel masters on commercial vessels
under eight metres and engaged in low-level marine activities. However,
development of the Working on Water certificate was put on hold due to its
potential overlap with a proposal by Commonwealth and State Transport
ministers to develop the National Approach to Maritime Safety Regulation
for the commercial vessel industry. The development of a national approach
will be agreed to by the Council of Australian Governments on 2 July 2009,
and has now superseded the Working on Water initiative.
*This activity also relates to Goal 5.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine
Woodman Point recreational boating precinct
The Perth Recreational Boating Facility Study identified the Woodman Point
Recreational Boating Precinct as an important site that would provide:
• quality public boating facilities to assist with meeting the rapidly growing
current and future demand for boat storage and launching facilities on
the metropolitan coast; and
• the opportunity to establish a range of maritime service businesses in a
dedicated marine precinct.
The Minister for Transport officially opened Stage One of the new boating
facilities at Woodman Point on 6 December 2008. Stage One includes four
new boat ramps with two boat holding jetties, a floating universal access jetty,
access roads and footpaths, rock walls, drainage and minor works including
fencing, barriers and signage. These works cost $3.29 million and were
partially funded by a $1.6 million contribution from the Australand company
as a condition of development approval for its Port Coogee development.
With a total of eight public boat ramps, Woodman Point is now the largest
boat launching facility in WA and the Department is now planning the
construction of additional car/trailer parking bays to service these ramps.
The Department has also received expressions of interest from the private
sector to establish a boat storage/stacking facility within the precinct.
Future works are planned to include the upgrade of the original four ramps
and the development of serviced industrial lots, which will be offered for
lease for marine-related purposes.
*This activity also relates to Goal 3.
www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine
Goal 1
21