Grey area: Future of controversial Peel marina development remains undetermined

Environmental groups have called on state environment minister Stephen Dawson to prevent an extension of the development proposal, saying it will cause unrecoverable damage to the Peel-Harvey Estuary.

The developers, Point Grey Development Company Pty Ltd and Tian An Australia, have applied for a further five-year extension for the development, with the plan to build a residential area with more than 3000 homes.

“The master-planned estate will be complemented by a 300 berth marina, retail and tourist facilities, a primary school and extensive open space, collectively creating an enviable lifestyle,” a Tian An release said.

“The development will offer over 3000 homes with easy access to Perth, Mandurah and the South West Coastal Region.”

However Point Grey continues to be a contentious point for environmental groups, who said it would only hasten the detrimental effects already facing the estuary.

Peel-Harvey Catchment Council chief Jane O’Malley said the organisation’s position on the development has not changed since it was first approved in 2012.

“The PHCC has had concerns with the Point Grey Marina since the proposal was first submitted for approval, and have provided several pieces of correspondence objecting to the proposal on a number of grounds,” she said.

“In essence the PHCC is of the opinion, based on review of the proposal and management strategies proposed by the proponent, that the development of the Marina and the associated boating channel will jeopardise the long-term health and Ramsar values of the Estuary.

“Given the sensitive nature and importance of this environment and location of the Marina, it is unlikely that there will be management that would sufficiently mitigate these impacts.”

Ms O’Malley said while the proposal still faces environmental assessment, changes in the health of the estuary necessitated a new EPA review.

“While the proposal itself isn’t changing with this request to extend the project commencement time frame, the natural values that will be impacted have only become more fragile and more important to the ecosystem that relies on a healthy environment, and the tourists and local members of the community who use and appreciate this area.”

Member for Dawesville Zak Kirkup said he would not be able to form an opinion one way or another until concise EPA assessment was once again undertaken, and therefore called for the existing environmental approvals to lapse.

“Five years ago, when the last environmental approval was given, there was an exhaustive process undertaken by the EPA,” he said.

“It's a significant process.

“I'd like to see a new one happen, because in that time there's been significant evidence that the estuary has changed.

“More recently we've had fish kills; 30,000 fish died because of a mixture of issues.

“I'm calling for the approvals to lapse because it's about time we took a fresh look at the environmental conditions on the estuary before a decision can be made about whether Point Grey goes ahead.”

Mr Kirkup said he was in favour of any development in his electorate, but only if it met strict environmental standards.

“While I'm in favour of responsible development generally speaking – I'd like more jobs, I'd like more housing – I want it to be done with the latest environmental information, which to me we're not doing if the development goes ahead right now at Point Grey,” he said.

“There's a reason the government put five years on the approvals, because the reality is the environment changes in that period of time.

“I'd like to make sure the approval isn't extended and there is a fresh round of environmental approvals and environmental assessments are undertaken before we take a fully informed stand on whether or not the Point Grey development should go ahead.”

The original assessors of the site, RPS Group, said the environmental assessment was undertaken with the full assistance of stakeholders and regulatory authorities, including the EPA.

“A key challenge for the project is its location adjacent to internationally significant Ramsar wetlands (the Harvey Estuary and Peel Inlet), and careful consideration was given to siting of the marina infrastructure, its orientation and sizing,” an RPS spokesperson said. 

“This culminated in a design that brought the marina partially onshore (rather than offshore), being located on the western side of the peninsula, and in a semi-cleared area of farmland.

“These approaches significantly reduced impacts on seagrass communities, waterbirds and remnant fringing vegetation.”

Minister Dawson confirmed the current EPA assessment was under review.