Shire of Murray deems Point Grey marina 'unsuitable'

At a council meeting in March, the council initiated a Town Planning Scheme amendment to remove a marina as permissible use under zoning around Point Grey.

The decision comes after Tian An Australia proposed the construction of a 300-berth marina with tourism and residential properties on the western side of the Point Grey peninsula

The project would also include the dredging of a 2.5 kilometre navigation channel across the Peel-Harvey Estuary.

Shire of Murray councillors, who already voted against allowing initial earthworks on the project to commence last year, cited concerns over the marina and channel's environmental and financial risks.

These were exacerbated by scientific findings from the Australian Research Council Linkage Program, confirming the declining health of the Peel Harvey Estuary and waterways.

Without a transformational approach to management, the research suggests a further reduction in rainfall and stream flow would likely see the waterways collapse.

This collapse could take with it up to $3.35 billion of economic value to the Peel region.

As a result, the amendment to the Town Planning Scheme was signed on April 9 to now be considered by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).

Read more on the Point Grey marina development:

Shire of Murray president David Bolt said a combination of circumstances had motivated the council's resolutions.

"Policy requirements for coastal and bushfire management planning have also significantly evolved in recent years," he said.

"Additionally, a state agency has yet to accept responsibility for the ongoing management of the channel, leaving the Shire responsible for the task which is well beyond its financial and workforce capacity - even with agreement from the landowner."

Cr Bolt added that the Shire would request the WAPC revoke the current Point Grey structure plan for a marina and marina village precinct.

"This will ensure that decision making is guided by a relevant and appropriate framework and will assist developer investigations into an alternative vision for the site which addresses the environmental sensitivities of the land and estuary, as well as contemporary planning principles and issues," he said.

"It is likely that further research will be undertaken - given the significance of the Estuary - to clarify the extent to which the marina and channel development may aggravate the adaptation challenges currently being faced, with a report returned to council to consider whether a request be made to Australian and state agencies to amend environmental approvals."

There has been almost unilateral disdain for the contentious development in the Mandurah community, with both local councils, politicians and environmental organisations calling for a stop to the proposal.

Tian An Australia were sent back to the drawing board in November last year after the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) denied an appeal for permission to start work on the project.

The developers had applied to have the Shire of Murray's initial decision to deny their stage one application reviewed.

However, after the appeal was considered in a three-day hearing and the panel deliberated for about four weeks, the SAT upheld the Shire's decision to block the initial work from taking place.

Public advertising of the Town Planning Scheme amendment is subject to the outcome of the EPA and WAPC reviews.

Tian An Australia said they "remain committed" to the development.

For more information, or to view the previously confidential council report, visit the Shire of Murray website.