Draft Strategic Boating Plan Open for Comment

Following endorsement at the ordinary Rockingham Council (WA) meeting on Tuesday 28 March, the City’s draft Strategic Boating Plan (SBP) 2023 – 2036 is now open for public comment.

The SBP is intended to provide long term guidance and an action plan for Council about the provision and service of boating infrastructure in the City. Its three main strategic objectives are to:

• Identify future upgrades/downgrades of existing facilities.
• Identify areas for future growth outside of existing locations.
• Identify potential funding sources for undertaking any proposed upgrades.

The City is home to 10.3% of total boat ownership in the Perth metropolitan area, which ranks second among all metropolitan local governments. Across the community the City currently provides 14 concrete boat ramps and two over sand boat ramps for users, which is more than any other local government in Perth.

These are located at six different sites including Port Kennedy, Bent Street, Donald Drive, Carlisle Street, Palm Beach and Point Peron. These facilities are popular with locals and visitors from outside the City.

City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin encouraged community members, and in particular boat users, to share their thoughts on the draft SBP.

“The development of the draft SBP was an action in the Coastal Facilities Strategy that was adopted by Council in 2021 – and this new strategy aligns with all four key aspirations in the City’s Strategic Community Plan,” Mayor Hamblin said.

“As the place where the coast comes to life, boating holds an important place in our community. Through the SBP the City has identified that it directly funds more boating facilities than any other local government in Perth.”

“The costs associated with funding upgrades to major boating infrastructure such the Port Kennedy Boat Ramp are significant. Given these challenges, the City will advocate that the State Government fund the upgrades and takes ownership of the major boating facilities in the City, namely Point Peron and Port Kennedy boating facilities.”

Public comment on the draft SBP is open until Monday 1 May 2023. To share your thoughts visit rockingham.wa.gov.au/your-city/share-your-thoughts/open-for-comment/draft-strategic-boating-plan