New Port Kennedy plan released for public comment

31/7/04
A revised development plan for the long-stalled Port Kennedy project has been released for public comment by Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
The plan proposes a tourism and residential village set between the beachfront, a coastal reserve and golf courses.
Fifteen years after the project was first approved, the State Government has received a submission from Western Australia Beach and Golf Resort Pty Ltd seeking approval for the revised development plan, known as Kennedy Bay.
The revised plan follows more than 18 months of review, analysis and community consultation by project manager Mirvac Fini.
After a series of negotiations, Ms MacTiernan has now approved the plan for public release.
If approved, the revised plan will replace the existing Port Kennedy Development Plan, which is based on an outdated 1980s coastal development model, reflected in exclusive resort-style developments in Queensland, the United States and South East Asia during that period.
"It is highly questionable whether such a model would meet today's community and market expectations for development on Perth's metropolitan coastline," the Minister said.
"It was certainly not financially feasible and the original developer went into receivership."
The new plan covers about 180ha, including freehold and leasehold components, more than 1,300 tourist-related accommodation beds and up to 400 residential dwellings.
Key changes to the development plan include:

• deletion of a proposed marina and introduction of a boat ramp and public jetty;

• deletion of a five-star beachside hotel and introduction of a quality golf-course-based hotel and villas;

• deletion of proposed harbour and beach rental units and introduction of an eco-tourism facility and beachfront serviced apartments;

• setting aside a 1.5ha premium site for possible future tourism development;

• reduction of the proposed 18-hole public golf course to nine holes;

• introduction of residential development in various locations throughout the project area, including within a nine-hole public golf course;

• protection of significant wetlands and flora; and

• relocation and reconfiguration of the proposed town centre.

"Mirvac Fini now has a great opportunity to finally deliver an environmentally sound, high quality tourism, residential and recreational development for the Port Kennedy area," Ms MacTiernan said.
The Minister said if the new plan was approved, there would be significant developer contribution towards public infrastructure in the area.
"The proposed revised agreement ensures that the community gets full market value for the land released to the developer," she said.
"The developer will then be required to build public infrastructure to the value of the land acquired."
Copies of the plan and Mirvac Fini's community consultation report will be available for public inspection at the following locations:

• the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, 469 Wellington Street, Perth;
• the JS Battye Library, Francis Street, Northbridge;
• the City of Rockingham, Civic Boulevard, Rockingham;
• the Warnbro Community Library, Swallowtail Parade, Warnbro; and
• the City of Fremantle, William Street, Fremantle.

The documents are also available from the Department for Planning and Infrastructure Internet site at http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au
The public comment period ends on Friday, August 27.
Minister's office: 9213 6400