Key stakeholders sign MOA for Albany Boat Harbour project

10/12/02
Premier Geoff Gallop today in Albany witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the key stakeholders of the Albany Boat Harbour project.
The strategic partnership agreement outlines the framework for the planning and management of the project and the roles and responsibilities of the three signatories - the Great Southern Development Commission, the City of Albany and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.
The three bodies will be represented on a management steering committee.
At the signing ceremony at the GSDC office in Albany, Dr Gallop commended the three signatories for their commitment to working together on the $12.7million harbour project.
He urged them to continue their collaboration - saying that the new small boat facility had the potential to bring enormous benefits to Albany and the Great Southern region.
"The Albany Boat Harbour project is one of the most important infrastructure development projects to happen in Albany for many years and it will contribute significantly to the future development of the region," the Premier said.
"The facility will provide a major boost to the region's tourism and fishing industries - building on Albany's maritime history, complementing the recent establishment of the Albany artificial dive wreck and providing pens and repair facilities for commercial and recreational boats.
"It will also enable the city to capitalise on its biggest natural asset - its harbour - establishing the foreshore as part of the city itself and, through development adjacent to the town jetty, transforming the southern end of the city into an exciting marine precinct.
"At last, justice will be done to the fact that Albany is one of the world's great harbours."
Dr Gallop said that the MOA - entitled 'Strategy for the Delivery of the Albany Boat Harbour' - recognised that each of the three signatories had their own capabilities and spheres of influence.
"Each agency or stakeholder has a key role to play in ensuring that this project is effectively managed and brought to fruition," he said.
The Premier said that the strategic agreement demonstrated the Government's commitment to fostering State-local government partnerships.
Such partnerships were particularly important for the sustainable development of regional areas.
Dr Gallop commended Albany MLA Peter Watson, the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, the Great Southern Development Commission and Albany City Council for their commitment to the Albany Boat Harbour project.
He said he was pleased Mr Watson was to continue to chair Albany City Council's Community Reference Group, which would act as a conduit between the council and the management steering committee.
The new boat facility is expected to be completed by 2006 and there will be extensive community consultation in the lead up to the start of construction in 2004.
The State Government has committed $12.76million to the project over the years 2003-04 ($302,000), 2004-05 ($4.35million) and 2005-06 ($8.115million). These funds will be managed by the GSDC.
The Albany City Council has allocated $50,000 in 2002-03 to start concept planning studies in a proposed $270,000 funding partnership with the DPI ($90,000), the GSDC ($60,000) and the Federal Government's Department of Transport and Regional Services ($70,000).
Premier's office: 9222 9475