Proposed $150M Port Kennedy development

Legislation to give the go-ahead for the $150 million Port Kennedy resort and recreation area south of Safety Bay has been introduced into State Parliament.

State Development Minister Ian Taylor told Parliament the Port Kennedy Development Agreement Bill would allow Fleuris Pty Ltd to build a comprehensive recreational and leisure centre on coastal Crown land for use by the people of WA and by national and international tourist.

"This 210 hectare development will be of world-class standard and, as stated by the Australian Heritage Commission, allow the conservation of a good sample of some of the major values which are identified in the National Estate listing for the area," Mr Taylor said.

"Fleuris was the successful company following detailed analysis of 17 applications for the project. The agreement allows 2 years for detailed environmental monitoring and testing and on ratification the company will pay the State $500,000 and then annually a sum equal to 0.5 per cent of the total cost of the development on leasehold and future freehold land."

Mr Taylor said the site for the development had in the past been used as a military practise range and at one stage in 1969 was proposed as the site for a power station.

The site had recently been placed on the Interim List of the Register of the National Estate, but it had been stressed that the listing was not a land-use decision.

The most significant areas were being set aside as public open space and conservation areas as the result of a decision in 1990 by the WA Environment Minister.

The agreement allows for:

·         picnic areas and car parking, holiday accommodation, town centre, public golf course and club house and a five-star hotel;

·         a marina, complete with moorings and jetties;

·         removal of approximately 80 squatters shacks;

·         a 50-year lease with 25 year option on 210 hectares of land and the progressive granting of 25 hectares of freehold land to the company as the development proceeds;

·         subdivision of Peel Estate lots and reserves and road reserves;

·         vesting of new roads and reserves in the City of Rockingham and of A class reserves in CALM;

·         Ministerial approval would be required for assignment of more than five per cent of the issued shares of Fleuris Pty Ltd.

"One important feature of the Bill is the creation of a Port Kennedy Management Board with will include representatives from the City of Rockingham, government departments and the local community and it will advise the Minister on progress of the development.

"This is a first-class development which strikes a balance between conservation, recreation for the general public, a boost for the tourism industry and job creating development," Mr Taylor said.