Shire of Murray

Shire of Murray’s Shire President Wally Barrett said Council believes the Point Grey development will deliver significant social, recreational, tourism and economic benefits to the Murray community and the surrounding Peel Region.

“Whilst there have been some concerns regarding the environmental impact, the marina and associated channel have been subject to significant investigations and are going through a comprehensive environmental approval process by both the Federal and State environmental agencies. The Shire is confident that this will ensure a best practice environmental outcome that will protect the environmental qualities of this significant waterway based on scientific evidence,” Cr Barrett said.

“We believe the proposed Point Grey Marina will positively impact the lifestyle of Peel Region residents, much like the previously developed Dawesville Channel and Mandurah Ocean Marina.”    

“The Point Grey Marina will deliver best practice environmental management, including the protection, rehabilitation and management of the existing vegetated areas in public reserves, and the retention of a significant number of tuart trees throughout the surrounding area,” Cr Barrett said.

The Shire of Murray have previously indicated the Point Grey proposal will provide much-needed boating facilities and decrease the impact on other parts of Peel’s waterway system, decreasing the number of informal boat access by the community.

“We believe the proponent’s plan to manage and monitor dredging and other potential environmental impact at the site is comprehensive, and includes a commitment to fully cover ongoing maintenance including the channel dredging, however we have suggested to the Environmental Protection Authority that the applicant contribute towards research on the estuary and estuary wide management works, to bolster existing knowledge.”

“With a commitment to our ratepayers, we will ensure that the dredging of the channel and marina is the focus of a binding legal agreement, and that the Marina owners take full financial responsibility,” Cr Barrett said.

Since receiving recommendation for approval from the State EPA in December 2011, the marina proposal has been subject to a mandatory appeal process, with submissions now being considered by the Environmental Appeals Convenor, prior to the Minister of Environment’s consideration.

“We will of course respect the final decision of the Minister, but Council very much supports the proposal moving forward for the social and economic sustainability of our community and the Peel Region,” Cr Barrett said.