The City of Cockburn is on target to deliver the third stage of its popular Port Coogee Marina by early December, including a new 90m public waterfront timber boardwalk.
Australian marine construction company SMC Marine is preparing to begin the $5.4m construction project in August following Cockburn Council’s endorsement of the company’s competitive tender in May.
Additions to the southern and western side of Maraboo Island will include 69 new boat berths ranging in size from eight to 25m along three floating concrete jetties.
The new boat berths will be available for long term licences, as well as short term visits for boats wanting to book overnight or across several days for a fee.
The City’s marina will be among the first in WA to use the latest design of the high quality ‘Bellingham Unifloat’ floating concrete jetty system which has a 50-year potential service life.
City of Cockburn Marine & Coastal Engineering Officer Jonathon McKay said the Bellingham system had a strong track record of dependable quality.
“Many Bellingham jetties built 20-plus years ago are still serviceable and in operation across Australia. The floating concrete and timber system offers excellent stability while still allowing the decks to rise and fall with tide, for maximum safety and usability,” Mr McKay said.
“The design also has sustainability benefits by minimising the use of exposed plastic to reduce the future chance of micro plastic pollution, and SMC have committed to ensuring the construction phase is carbon neutral via carbon offsets.”
Other works include a concrete loading berth area, nine additional car parking bays and two gatehouses which will be fitted with a 7kW solar panel system to offset electricity use and carbon emissions.
Mayor Logan Howlett said the marina was a growing tourist attraction along the Cockburn Coast with the ability for boats to tie up or stay overnight or longer if pens were available.
“It’s a vibrant area with many attractions for those visiting by boat, car or bike, or even on foot. The marina is great to stroll around and there are now several restaurants and cafes which are an added bonus for gatherings.
“Ngarkal Beach remains a popular protected beach for all ages and abilities and of course the Coogee Maritime Trail and Omeo wreck is a short distance away on foot or bike.
“The marina is also home to a variety of sea life that grows on and shelters beneath the marina jetties and structures, like the beautiful seahorse.
“A 12-month sea life study at the marina identified 68 fish species, other fauna like cuttlefish, sea stars, prawns, seven different hard coral species and nudibranchs, which are a soft-bodied mollusc.
“We’ve also had some unusual visitors in recent years including an albacore tuna, swordfish and dolphin, and these always draw a crowd.
“This summer the marina became a popular location for regular back of boat lobster sales in conjunction with Western Rock Lobster Council and the Port Coogee Community Association.”
Port Coogee Marina received the Marina Industry Association’s International Clean Marina Accreditation Level 3 in December 2018 and the City was the first in WA to purchase and install an in-water Seabin which acts like a floating vacuum cleaner, able to trap 20kg of rubbish at a time.
Although the marina is visibly a clean environment the Seabin captures about 20 pieces of micro plastic each day.
The marina currently has 158 boat berths with Stage 3 taking that tally to 227. When there is suitable demand in future years, a fourth stage will add extra boat pens south of the current marina jetties.
The lower car parking area on the southern side of Maraboo Island will be closed to the public during the construction program.