By Ann Marie Angebrandt
WYNDHAM’S long-awaited marina is one step closer following approval last week by the Lower House of State Parliament.
The $275 million marina, proposed for Werribee South, now needs the go-ahead from the Upper House.
It also needs the Wyndham City Council to approve town planning and building.
The State Government last week rezoned about 11 hectares of green wedge land for some of the marina’s 224 planned homes.
Wyndham Cove project director Angus Reed expected smooth sailing from now on, with building to begin in mid-2007, and a completion date of around 2010.
“We’re very excited that Parliament has now agreed with the recommendations of an expert panel, and look forward to the Upper House giving the project the final green light,” Mr Reed said.
The marina will include a harbour for up to 1000 wet berths, aquaculture facilities, shops and restaurants, a coastguard base and a public beach.
However, environmentalists continue to pour cold water on the project.
Harry van Moorst, of the Western Region Environment Centre, said he was concerned about the excavation of about 20 hectares of Port Phillip Bay which builders will need to complete the marina.
“We are not convinced it is worth the risk,” he said.
The Wyndham City Council created a special “use zone” for the marina about seven years ago.
The project was expected to inject some $542 million into the local and regional economy, and create more than 600 jobs during building and once it is operational.
Mr Reed said Wyndham Cove would one day become “the number one boating destination on Port Phillip Bay”.
The State Government has for more than 20 years included in its forward planning a marina in Werribee South.
