Anticipated to begin construction in 2020, the McGowan Government has committed $120 million to the Ocean Reef Harbour redevelopment which will get underway after decades of deliberation.
Ocean Reef is situated 35 kilometres north of Perth's CBD within the City of Joondalup which according to census data has a current population of about 168,000 and $278 million of building approvals in 2016. Construction is Joondalup's largest employment industry.
According to Joondalup mayor Troy Pickard, the city has seen massive growth and change over the last two decades and is ready to support the Ocean Reef Harbour redevelopment.
“The development will service the local community and attract visitors and tourists well into the future as well as adding to the social fabric of the City of Joondalup. [A number of] development sites in the city centre have scope for expansion.
“And work continues towards making the city centre an attractive and viable proposition for investors and developers.” Pickard said.
The McGowan Labor Government have supported Pickard’s sentiments with ambitions to transform the existing Ocean Reef Boat Harbour into a world-class waterfront precinct, creating hundreds of jobs in the northern suburbs.
"After years of neglect by the Liberal National government, as Premier, I'm looking forward to seeing this northern suburbs project finally get underway and provide a boost to our local economy.
"Ocean Reef Marina represents a rare opportunity to transform existing facilities into a world-class tourism and recreational facility, providing a major boost to jobs in the northern suburbs.” Premier McGowan said.
The State Government would seek more than $500 million in contributions from private investors and Commonwealth funding and have started by pledging $35 million to be allocated from the 2017-18 State Budget.
The new Ocean Reef Marina has been designed with the intentions of developing the area into a thriving hub for tourism, jobs and new diverse housing options, including apartments, retail and commercial developments.
According to Lands Minister Rita Saffioti, Ocean Reef Marina is a medium to long term commitment to create hundreds of jobs and provide valuable infrastructure where people live.
"In addition to more than eight hectares of public open space, there will also be space made available for existing community facilities to use." Saffioti said.
In 2009 the City of Joondalup presented the people of Ocean Reef and the surrounding suburbs with the concept 7 development plan. Out of a total of 12,000 survey respondents, an overwhelming majority - 93.9% - were in favour of developing the site and 95.6% approved of the concept plan.
The State Government's LandCorp will lead the development, working with the City of Joondalup to deliver the project, including the finalisation of all planning requirements and an environment review.
The Ocean Reef Harbour redevelopment is expected to be finished by 2029.
