Even though Hall Park has intrinsic protection as a class A reserve. The 2024 Cook governments’ tourist promotion policy is to build craft breweries in W.A.  Don’t expect the Minister for Planning to save our beautiful “Jewel in Mandurah’s Crown”     

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook-Labor-Government/Bold-plan-to-boost-WA%27s-craft-beer-industry-20240802

HTTPS://WWW.WA.GOV.AU/ORGANISATION/DEPARTMENT-OF-PLANNING-LANDS-AND-HERITAGE/CROWN-LAND-RESERVES

Class A has the greatest degree of protection. Amendments to Class A reserves will require advertising and may require tabling of the proposal in both Houses of Parliament to facilitate amendments. The Class A classification is used solely to protect areas of high conservation or high community value.

Aside from conservation reserves, the Minister has general powers to deal with reserves which are not Class A or B and retains legal and policy oversight of the use of reserves generally.

    Changes to Class A reserves

Where the Minister proposes to cancel the reserve or its Class A classification, to change its purpose, to excise land for a road, or to reduce the area by more than the five per cent or one hectare (whichever is the less) permitted in specified circumstances, the Minister must:

advertise this intention in a State newspaper and consider all comments; and

no sooner than 30 days later, table the proposal in both Houses of Parliament with a briefing explaining the proposal.

Either House of Parliament then has 14 sitting days to move a notice of disallowance.

In some instances, the proposed changes may require an Act of Parliament.

The City of Mandurah are strongly supporting a business development on a yet to be rezoned, Class A reserve, with the intent on receiving rental income. This proposition may be neither legal nor ethically responsible given that Hall Park is public open space for community use and more so because the City currently owns suitably zoned freehold land on Mandurah Terrace, where, we believe, this development should be located. The City could rent their Mandurah Tce land, receive financial return and the development would improve the commercial viability of this struggling central business district.

Over the years the City has rightly been concerned about the viability and the survival of the CBD.  Particularly as large shopping centres have been developed away from the CBD. The City is now ignoring these struggling businesses in the CBD and is providing $4 million in financial support to an out of town developer in the form of car parking, jetties and infrastructure plus a bonus 2 year rent free/rate free period. This is particularly unethical, given that any normal developer needs to purchase land and pay rates up until his business is operating.

Should this proposal go ahead and be even half as successful as the City’s figures suggest, many of the long-established businesses, who currently pay rates and rents, and who are already under stress in the CBD, will be placed under even more pressure to survive.

We suggest that the Western Foreshore continue with the recent child friendly development theme and remain as a family active location with, (if anything more is required,) perhaps a well-designed 18-hole mini golf course, kayak hire and café which could also manage the golf and kayak hire.

In recent years the City has, and continues to spend millions of dollars on the Eastern Foreshore. We suggest stimulating the adjacent CBD and promote any new major businesses there.

Western Foreshore information

“The Jewel in Mandurah’s Crown”                        (Mayor Paddy Creavey 2017)

Damn the Local Ratepayers, Traffic Chaos and projected Financial Losses .  Let’s promote alcohol consumption in Mandurah and build a 650 seat ‘SupaPub’  with  200+ Car Parking Lot alongside the kids’ playgrounds.                         (Mayor Rhys Williams 2024)

Kids and alcohol don’t really mix.    Set a good example separate alcohol outlets and children’s playgrounds.  Health experts recommend that the safest option for young people (under 18) is to not drink alcohol at all.

Recognise that “monkey see, monkey do” applies to your kids.   A responsible parent doesn’t dump the kids in a playground and then go drinking next door.

Alcohol is too frequently the root cause of domestic violence and family breakups.

Alcohol is involved in between 23% and 65% of all police-reported family violence incidents.

Over 40% of anti-social behaviour is alcohol fueled.

Alcohol and driving near kids playgrounds.             Do your own research on this topic.

Contact your elected council representative to find the answer to this oddity.

Comments on the Mandurah Matters supplied infographic shown below.

Day 1 ;                  The CoM raises a $4,000,000 commercial loan at 4.5% (or higher rate) over 25yrs = $266,552 per annum

Commercial Loan Calculator   

(this excludes any probable bank fees and charges)   Left Coast Leisure Group (as sublessee) granted 2 year rent free period whilst building the 650 seat ‘SupaPub’.

2 years on ;                Left Coast Leisure Group commences paying rent of $248,000 p.a.      (which is below CoM’s loan repayments).              CoM has already paid over $500,000 in P& I  loan repayments on the $4 million borrowed.

Maintenance + cost overruns ; For example, the carparks will require resurfacing after 10 to 15 years. Estimate $2 million.         Omitted in plan.

Furthermore, after the 2 years rent-free period, there will be an ongoing annual revenue shortfall, even given the sublessee’s rent payment, with funds to cover the loan repayment shortfall, management, maintenance and ongoing renewal costs all coming from Council Revenue.                i.e.  Your rates.

PMRA comments circled or underlined in RED  in this CoM supplied Business Plan  infographic

WORST FORESHORE DEVELOPMENT

PLEASE EXPLAIN ! From supplied data, looks like CoM ratepayers are being financially screwed by this proposal.

          Validate the loan calculation below                         Click and open the link below; change amount to $4,000,000    and term to      25 years                Commercial Loan Calculator

The Flawed traffic flow projection in Mary St. is based on the incorrect location of the traffic counter, which completely omitted the 124 residences in the immediate area.it’s projected there will be 160 + vehicles entering/leaving the Leighton PL. IGA. Mary St. intersection every hour.  Attempting to turn right from Mary St. into Leighton Pl. will bring traffic in Old Coast Rd. and Pinjarra Rd. to a standstill.

There will be traffic chaos and constant traffic jams.                       Act NOW to stop this proposal.

Western Foreshore Proposed Parking Plan“The Jewel in Mandurah’s Crown”                              (Mayor Paddy Creavey 2017)

PORT MANDURAH

Specified Area Rate Information

Pages 4 and 5 relate to PMRA members

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LIGHTS UP, everyone!

The Camp Quality cruises will be happening at the end of November.

Please don’t delay – now is the time to pull out Christmas decorations. Even if you can only put up a few, every little decoration of colour and lights around your house will bring joy and happiness to so many sick children and help them forget their illness and pain albeit for a short while.

Calling all cafe and restaurant owners or managers.

Rollup Rollup and Signup! New Committee Members Welcomed!!

The PMRA committee is on the lookout for new committee members. Have your say and be part of this wonderful community. All interested parties please send your enquiries to info@portmandurah.com.au

Keen on fishing?

The below link has everything you need to know about sustainability.

Recfishwest – Recfishwest

Security: 19 May 2022

Following a couple of attempted break-ins in the Leeward area, please ensure that you remain vigilant and keep all doors and windows locked as well as cars.  Police were called, and hopefully, they will catch the culprits responsible.

====================================================Port Mandurah – 30 Years Making a Community

Have you collected your complimentary book “Port Mandurah – 30 Years Making a Community”?

Books are available for collection or purchase starting this Saturday 9 April from  10:00 – 10:30 am.

Each household in the Port Mandurah Boundary – is entitled to 1 copy of this book. Extra copies can be purchased for $20.

Please text 0423104 807 or email kerriea380@gmail.com for collection details.

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PMRA Meeting with Lisa Munday MLA

On Friday 25/3/22 a group from your PMRA comprised of Jim Booker, Steve Zielinski, Peter McGuire and Dr Peter Hick (past PMRA President) had a very productive meeting with Mrs Lisa Munday MLA for Dawesville.

The three main agenda items were automated sand by-passing, jetty licensing, and canal boat traffic management.

1. PMRA believes that it is time to review and seriously plan for a long-term automated sand bypassing system to be installed at both the Mandurah River mouth and the Dawesville Channel entrance. Previous indications show this to be a feasible and efficient prospect with high initial capital investment but low recurrent cost. We believe that a permanent automated system at the river mouth would maintain a safer navigable passage into the estuary promoting Mandurah’s waterways as a viable year-round tourist destination to the fleet of larger, high spending, vessels from Perth and Fremantle. In the light of the CHRMAP report, we feel it is now appropriate to advance this, and believe a sum of $250,000 from State, Federal or local government sources would enable a feasibility and implementation plan to be commenced.
2. Transfer of Jetty licensing from DoT to CoM.  Despite agreement from successive government ministers since 2008, intransigence and obstruction from DoT have prevented this practical and sensible action.  PMRA again would like to see this long-overdue change enabling more effective management of the canal waterways precinct clarifying effective responsibility.
3. Boat safety, traffic risk management and signage are currently an ad-hoc arrangement with responsibility being vaguely shared by DoT, water police, CoM and PMRA. Clarification is urgently required particularly with the increasing traffic.

On your behalf, as a PMRA member, the above summary letter was forwarded to the City of Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams, Deputy Mayor Cr. Carolyn Knight and Cr. Ryan Burns with the invitation to meet to discuss these matters further.

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PIMP MY JETTY 

OzFish Unlimited is offering PMRA jetty owners the opportunity to grow their own mussels with their “Pimp my Jetty” project. This OzFish project is in conjunction with but separate from the current Mussel Gardening Project with the same desirable endpoint.

The Peel-Harvey Catchment Council supports the PIMP MY JETTY project through funding from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions Program, Recfishwest, BCF and Lowrance.

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TV “no signal” and a blank screen

If you are experiencing this problem please go to the following website https://www.lbnco.com.au/tv-support/ and lodge a form and someone will get in contact with you to assist.

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Mussel gardening for 2022 

Key dates for the program are

1. February 2022 – Recruit gardeners, make up baskets.
2. Late February – Hold workshops for new gardeners (Dates to be advised, we would gratefully welcome any previous participants to come and give a talk at the workshops!)
3. Early March – Handover of mussel baskets to the gardeners at the Port Bouvard Yacht Club. (Dates to be advised)
4. March-October 2022 – Monitor and grow mussels.
5. October 2022 – Mussel Muster and transfer of mussels into the Peel-Harvey Estuary shellfish reef sites.

Please email your interest to richard.campbell@tnc.org and Theo and the Bindjareb rangers look forward to seeing you in 2022.

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Justice of the Peace

The Hon Mike Board OAM who lives in the Port Mandurah area is a JP.  Should you require his services he can be contacted during business hours on Ph 0412 022 266 or email mikeandjoboard@gmail.com.

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IMPORTANT COVID UPDATE

This latest update, Jan 20 2022, by Prof Grant Waterer will help dispel some Covid fear.

Grant Waterer COVID update January 2022 – YouTube

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Tourism Position Statement

These consultations provide the opportunity to comment on the Western Australian Planning Commission’s draft Position Statement:

Planning for Tourism and associated Guidelines.

It also provides an option to comment on the State-wide registration scheme which is being implemented by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

The Position Statement, which proposes changes to how short-term rentals are treated through the planning system, runs in parallel with the proposed registration scheme.

You should make comment using Survey 1 below if you are interested in giving feedback to how a future registration scheme could function in WA.

You should provide comment through Survey 2 below if you are interested in whether some forms of short-term rentals should be exempt from requiring development approval, and/or how short-term rentals are defined in the planning system.

         Survey 1     

        Survey 2    

A Christmas Message from PMRA President Jim Booker
Thank you to those that brighten our lives by putting up Christmas Lights. This year is better than ever with the whole of Mandurah joining in, making our City the Capital of Christmas.
We encourage you to observe the traditional 12 Days of Christmas by leaving your lights on until about 10.30pm at least until 6th January.
With the enormous increase in Christmas Lights tourists this year, maintaining this tradition guarantees the best possible result for the Rotary Wishing Well which raises thousands of dollars for local charities. Visit their JustGiving page. This year we have the added bonus of the canal tour operators contributing towards four St. John’s automatic external defibrillators to be installed in Port Mandurah.
I’m sure that these worthwhile causes, combined with the knowledge that many thousands of families enjoy our magnificent light display, will strengthen the Mandurah Canal Christmas Spirit and maintain a traditional Christmas Calendar.
As always, Mandurah Cruises are running their Christmas Lights Competition & People’s Choice Awards and will be generously hosting a Thank You Beach Party and Awards Ceremony after Australia Day.

Below is a thank you video from Mandurah Cruises.

Port Mandurah – 30 YEARS – Making a Community
This is the title of the book that was written for PMRA in 2019:

Each Port Mandurah household may have one of these books for free! Visit us on Facebook for pick-up details. Extra copies are $20 each.
Please bring proof of residence, and pass this information to your friends and neighbours (who must be current ratepayers within the Port Mandurah Boundary) as we don’t have everyone’s email addresses.

PMRA Committee Vacancies
If you’re a Port Mandurah resident and care about your neighbourhood, please consider joining the committee. We meet every 6 weeks or so for a couple of hours, on a day/time to suit all committee members.
You don’t need any specific skills, just a willingness to work as part of a team, and a commitment to attend at least 50% of the meetings.
For more information please contact us.

The Friends of Samphire Cove meet on the last Sunday morning of each month at 9.00am to take care of this A class nature reserve in Wedgetail Retreat (down Leisure Way).
If you would like to help the Friends on an occasional or regular basis, just turn up or visit their website for more information
mehg.org.au/samphire-cove

Reflective Tape
If you would like some free reflective tape for your jetty poles, please contact us to arrange pick-up.
Also available at our AGM and other events.

Sutton Farm
Sutton Farm is a heritage-listed place dating from the 1860s comprising a homestead building, single men’s quarters and a barn, as well as significant trees. The development plan was adopted in 2017 subject to certain modifications.

Dredging
To keep the entrances of the Port Mandurah canals open it has always been recognised that some degree of dredging would be required and that is why we have a reserve account within the SAR structure to pay for periodic dredging and annual surveys of accretion.
Since the agreement that was made in the 1990s, there have been significant changes in the estuary circulation patterns and sediment sources, e.g. the Dawesville Channel, the regrowth of Fairbridge Bank, and issues with sand bypassing at the Northern Entrance. These have altered the rate of siltation of the entrances which were originally estimated to require dredging every 5 years.
Here are the latest hydrographic surveys (November 2017) showing the water depths at both entrances to the main canal: 

•  To view the Department of Transport’s coastal engineering assessment and recommendations regarding the formation of sand bars outside the Mandurah entrance channel please click here.

Jetties
Canal properties in Port Mandurah have a designated jetty envelope located within the mooring envelope of the property.
Provided that the proposed jetty is within the jetty envelope and complies with the City’s Local Planning Policy 4 relating to Canal Waterways Structures  LPP4 then a Development Approval (i.e. a Planning Approval) is not required.
A Building Permit is needed prior to construction specifying the dimensions and the shape, i.e. finger shaped, ‘T’ shaped, ‘L’ shaped or land backed. Most jetty companies will submit this Building Permit Application to the City on your behalf.
You will also need a Jetty Licence from the Department of Transport. PMRA is advocating for a transfer of  jetty administration to the City of Mandurah. We believe that the City already does most of the work and could receive over $300,000 revenue per year.

Speed Limits in Mary Street
There is a section of Mary Street where the speed limit increases from 50km/h to 60km/h for a short stretch. PMRA supports the residents in this locality to have the speed limit reduced to 50km/h. If you would like to add your name to the petition being organised by Ted Ion in Baruna Court, please click here.

Litter
PMRA has several volunteers who, whilst out walking, regularly pick up litter in the precinct. On Clean Up Australia Day in March, the committee and a few friends collected dozens of bags of rubbish; a few of whom are pictured below. The City of Mandurah pays PMRA $650 a year for keeping the streets of Port Mandurah clean.
Our thanks go to John Randall who picks up rubbish on a twice daily basis.