The main goals and objectives of this project were to develop a Western Australian icon tourism development that could effectively function as a strategically placed boat harbour for both commercial and recreational vessels providing both safety and security.
Mandurah Ocean Marina is situated a one hour drive or 72 kilometres from Perth CBD along the pristine West Australian coastline at the entrance to the Peel Inlet, Murray and Serpentine Rivers. Once a sleepy holiday retreat the City of Mandurah now bustles with vitality and unprecedented growth, offering not only outstanding recreational opportunities but also exceptional business prospects.
The Mandurah Ocean Marina is a testament of successful partnership between State and Local Government. This unique project developed by DevelopmentWA and managed by the City of Mandurah provides the Peel region of Western Australia with a world-class marina facility.
With 20 hectares of water and 40 hectares of land Mandurah Ocean Marina is the largest regional marina in Western Australia, exemplifying a new generation of expansion implementing a more sustainable approach to development.
The DevelopmentWA and City of Mandurah’s vision for the Ocean Marina to be part of an integrated community features a 1.2 million dollar foot bridge linking the Marina to the townsite via the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre cultural precinct. The two-way traffic flow on the bridge attracts locals and tourists to the commercial and alfresco dining outlets with private and rental accommodation within the Marina.
Already an award winning site the Mandurah Ocean Marina scooped double honours at the prestigious Western Australian “Case Earth Awards” winning both Construction Excellence and Environmental Excellence for projects worth more than $10 million as well as the internationally recognised PIANC Marina Excellence Design Jack Nichol Award (MEDA).
The two kilometre waterway links the natural harbour waterway to the Indian Ocean with no height or bridge restrictions applying to craft.
As early as 1995 the Mandurah Ocean Marina Taskforce, consisting of LandCorp, City of Mandurah, Peel Development Commission and the Department of Planning and Infrastructure instigated an exhaustive community consultation process that lasted over 12 months.
This successful consultation was undertaken to generate a vision for the project and resulted in the “preferred plan” being signed off by State Cabinet in 1998.
Land development restrictions resulted in the State Government land development agency DevelopmentWA becoming both the Developer and Project Manager. After 20 years of unplanned excavation by local authorities and businesses at the site DevelopmentWA were assigned the task to develop a man-made harbour in accordance with feedback from the comprehensive consultation process.
1999 saw a Memorandum of Understanding resulting in a Formal Management Agreement between the State Government of Western Australia and the City of Mandurah.
Currently in its 7th year of operation, Mandurah Ocean Marina has performed better than projected in the 5-year business plan. Revenue is generated from pens both commercial and recreational, land leasing and launch ramps.
All commercial sites associated with the Marina are fully leased and include a 40 tonne Boat Lifter who sublets to the following small businesses - fibreglass repairer; stainless steel and aluminium fabrication; dry stacking facility for 50 boats; diesel and outboard repair specialists and retail area incorporating a marine chandlery, electronics sales outlet, kiosk and general store.
The success of the Marina has also attracted the following investors to the area:
- Seashells Resort - a luxury nine story, 4.5 star resort featuring 32 one bedroom spa suites and 24 two bedroom, two bathroom apartments all with ocean or marina views.
- Ocean Pointe Residential Apartments – 35 fully sold – averaging $400,000-$700,000
- Dolphin Quay Apartments and commercial/tourism precinct – 45 apartments averaging $500,000
In addition special events including the Boat Show, Blue Water Classic generate enormous economic benefit to local and state business.
The Marina consists of recreational, club and commercial boating facilities. Stage 1 of Mandurah Ocean Marina was completed in August 2001 with 174 boat pens with a 100 per cent occupancy rate.
Boat pens are constructed using the quality assured Poralu floating pontoon system. This system and accessories are designed to complement all aspects of the marine environment, repel harsh weather conditions and eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance. The floating pontoons of the Poralu system are manufactured using a welded polyethylene cover over a polystyrene section, this allows for maximum flexibility and buoyancy. Each boat pens has its own individual power supply with safety circuit breakers as well as individual water outlets.
The walkways within the pen system are covered with replaceable fire retardant non-slip polycarbonate tiles that are maintenance free and visually attractive. This tile system is currently the only system worldwide to have a specific fire rating from CSIRO.
A strong ultra-violet resistant inert polyethylene sleeve with a minimum life span of 20 years covers the pylons supporting the pontoons delineating each pen.
A contract has already been negotiated with the manufacturers of the Poralu system to ensure all future development of recreational, club and commercial facilities within the Marina can be achieved within budget utilising the same system to maintain the ascetics of the overall project.
High standard private ablutions including clothes washing and drying machines as well as showers and toilets are serviced daily.
Excellence in Management of Environmental issues
A fundamental component for the risk management of environmental issues associated with the Marina was the planning and community consultation process that occurred prior to the start of the project.
During construction nearly three billion litres of water were pumped out of the original harbour basin to enable excavation. Managing the environment in a sensitive manner was a key concern. The Department of Fisheries relocated 10,000 crabs and other marine species. Local conservationists created a new and protected breeding ground for Fairy Terns as part of the commitment to not only preserve the marine and land wildlife but also to encourage increased breeding numbers.
Every effort was made to eliminate risks to ensure the continued wellbeing of the marine environment including the installation of sullage pump-out facilities available to recreational boat owners. The sullage connects directly into the main sewerage system for the area.
Rules and regulations governing ecological issues continue to re-enforce and demonstrate the commitment to preservation of the environment; for example the contract between Marina Management and Penholders outline clear direction for sensitive areas such as pets not being permitted to walk on the boardwalks to the pens. A secure Gate House also doubles as a waste management area for Penholders with both rubbish and recycling bins monitored daily. The Gate House also houses the latest in anti-pollution compensating and fire-fighting equipment.
