Last year during our Mandurah Matters community visioning initiative, our community echoed the voice of past generations of Mandurah residents.
That our waterways are the lifeblood of this community, the reason most of us live here, and our biggest social, environmental and economic opportunity.
As a resident of Mandurah for almost my entire life, I feel the same way, which is why I'm standing firmly against the Point Grey channel, and why I ask you to join us in vocal opposition to this short-sighted proposal.
The current Point Grey proposal includes the construction of a 2.5km navigation channel across the Peel-Harvey Estuary from the proposed 300-berth Point Grey marina to the Dawesville Cut.
The proponent claims that it plans to 'protect and enhance the local environment', and yet is unable or unwilling to provide a dredging maintenance plan and financial modelling to show how environmental concerns will be mitigated, and who is going to pay for it.
Sorry, but it isn't unreasonable of our community to expect this level of due diligence when it comes to something as crucial as this.
If this important ecological system is harmed as a result of this channel being built, the impact will be on every person living in Mandurah and the Peel.
So when our elected members from every level of government, members of our science community, volunteer community groups, representatives from our commercial and recreational fishing industries, and the community at large say in one voice that we expect greater transparency on how these matters are to be addressed.
When we say that we will stand opposed to this proposal until we are convinced that our concerns are being taken seriously, it isn't because we are unreasonable - it is because these are our waterways, and because the impacts of these decisions will be felt for generations to come.
The City of Mandurah council have it made clear that we won't play any part in maintaining this channel and that we stand firmly with the Shire of Murray in opposition.
I now urge all decision makers who have a role to play in issuing approvals to make the right decision and for the community be vocal in its opposition to this proposal.
This site could be the jewel in our crown; a world class eco-tourism outcome that protects our environment, strengthens our economy, creates opportunities for our local people and makes the most of this unique location.
It's time for a new vision for Point Grey.
Rhys Williams is City of Mandurah mayor.
