Exmouth harbour development
Background
The Department is the authority vested with responsibility for Exmouth Boat Harbour. For several years the Exmouth Boat Harbour has been operating at full capacity and while different trends are experienced among the respective maritime industries the demand for harbour berthing facilities remains at a level that cannot be met.
The operational focus of the harbour is changing, with a reduction in the fishing industry operations and an increase in demand from recreational and commercial industries. Interest has been expressed from larger recreational vessels that cannot currently access the harbour.
The extensive growth being experienced in the offshore oil and gas industries, and the significant difficulties for offshore service companies seeking access to suitable port and harbour facilities in the North West is another factor in this process. The harbour provides a home port for a small number of vessels that service the offshore oil and gas industry. However, the harbour design does not accommodate the requirements of the offshore rig tenders and workboats and consequently requests for berthing and unloading for these larger vessels cannot be accommodated.
It was against this background that the previous Minister for Planning and Infrastructure appointed a steering committee to oversee consultation with the Exmouth community and ratepayers on a proposal to expand this facility to cater for these needs.
Brief history
The Exmouth Boat Harbour was officially opened on 13 September 1997.The harbour concept originated in 1987, as a means of developing the local economy after the United States Defence personnel departed from the nearby communications station. The original plans were for a Coral Coast Marina, which became the Exmouth Boat Harbour over the ten year development period.
The facility is operating at capacity despite a significant reduction in the fishing fleet operating from the facility over the last six years which has included a reduction in the number of prawn trawlers and fishing vessels.
The recently opened resort at the harbour has resulted in requests for new pens to accommodate charter and deep sea sport fishing vessels ranging from 20 to 30 metres in length - vessels that cannot be accommodated in the existing facilities at the harbour.
In 2002 the Landcorp development and construction of the Exmouth Marina Village canal system commenced comprising four super lot developments ranging from residential to mixed commercial, a resort and also land to support marine related industries. Development of the individual super lots is currently underway. There has been a tremendous growth in the number of (larger) recreational vessels at Exmouth, even before construction of the housing estates in the canals has commenced.
The Port of Dampier remains the main port in WA for servicing the offshore industries and with the current and expected growth offshore pressure to identify new berthing and harbour support facilities along the north west coast is mounting. Exmouth is ideally positioned geographically to provide new infrastructure for the offshore industry with close proximity to the offshore development and the protection offered by the waters of the Exmouth Gulf.
New infrastructure could incorporate a considerable size land component generally required to accommodate the lay down area and storage needs of service providers to the offshore oil and gas industry and a variety of types of wharf and berthing facilities for the many and varied types of offshore rig tenders and commercial vessels used offshore.
Area of interest
The study area of the site of the proposed harbour expansion is defined below:
Steering committee
The previous Minister for Planning and Infrastructure appointed a steering committee to oversee the development and implementation of a stakeholder and community consultation strategy to engage stakeholders and the Exmouth Community in a consultation process to assess the opportunity for a potential expansion of the Exmouth Boat Harbour.
The aim of this committee was to provide a high level of strategic guidance through the consultation process and provide input into a community consultation plan which will ensure that stakeholders and the community are provided with an opportunity to present ideas on the direction of the future use of an expanded boat harbour. The committee comprises:
- Hon Vince Catania MLC (Chairperson) - Member for Mining and Pastoral Region
- Hon Bob Kucera MLA - Member for Yokine
- Mr Phil Anastasakis - CEO, Shire of Exmouth
- Mrs Ronnie Fleay - Shire President, Shire of Exmouth
- Mr Stephen Yule- CEO, Gascoyne Development Commission
- Mr Barry Sullivan- President, Exmouth Chamber of Commerce
- Mr Glenn Musto- Snr Project Planner, Country Planning, Department of Transport
- Mr Peter McNally- Business Manager, Landcorp
- Mr Peter Sewell- Regional Manager Gascoyne, Main Roads WA
- Mr Steve Jenkins- A/General Manager, Coastal Infrastructure, Department of Transport
- Mr Nich Grundy- Assistant Manager, Regional Facilities, Department of Transport
The first meeting of the steering committee was held in Exmouth on Monday 7 April, 2008.
Consultation process
The Department in conjunction with the steering committee, held two community forums in Exmouth on 10 and 11 June, 2008. These forums were well attended by Exmouth residents who had an opportunity to express their views and provide comments on the proposed expansion. A summary of the Workshop comments will be posted on the website when available. Copies of the two presentations from the Forums can also be downloaded.
Exmouth community forum presentation
Proposed harbour expansion presentation
The outcomes of this consultation processwere presented in the Exmouth Harbour Development Community Consultation Report to the current Minister for Transport forhis determination on this project. This report took into consideration the level of community support and issues raised through consultation. The community consultation process involved the following steps:
Have your say
Public submissions have now closed.
The Department invited residents and stakeholders within the Exmouth community to comment on the potential for expansion of maritime facilities at the Exmouth Boat Harbour.
The Department recognises that there are a number of infrastructure projects that are likely to be based around the Exmouth area which will place pressures on expanding the Exmouth Boat Harbour. The expansion could include new breakwaters, wharves, land and associated infrastructure, for use by new and existing maritime industries at Exmouth. Some potential users could include the offshore oil and gas industries, charter vessel industry, super yachts and potentially cruise ships companies.
The Department was keen to consult with the community and stakeholders in Exmouth to assess the level of support for the development of an expanded facility, and to discuss the types of usage and operating parameters that could apply to this type of facility.
Report on outcomes
Following the consultation process a Report was prepared on the outcomes of the consultation process and presented to Transport Minister Simon O'Brien. The Minister endorsed the recommendations of the Report includingasking proponents to present proposals for the expansion of the Exmouth Boat Harbour. The Department will now formally request proposals from each proponent. Proposals will be subject to further consultation.
Further information is available in the Ministers media statement (external link).
Publications
Exmouth Harbour Development Summary and Issue Paper
Feedback form
Exmouth Harbour Development Community Consultation Report
