Fremantle Ports Outer Harbour Project - Draft Recommendation Report on Preferred Option

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on the preferred options for the Fremantle Ports Outer Harbour Project.

Recfishwest is the peak body representing the interest of the 645,000 recreational fishers in Western Australia. We are formally recognised and funded by the Government in that role. Recfishwest places the highest priority on preserving the future of recreational fishing and the access to the resources it depends on in Western Australia.

Recfishwest supports Option 1 as the preferred design for the Outer Harbour Project. The report lists Option 2 as the preferred design from the perspective of recreational users; however, Recfishwest believes Option 1 is the most suitable for recreational fishers. Option 1 will require the least amount of dredging and the harbour's parallel orientation to the shore provides the best conditions for water movement, given the prevailing conditions.

The environmental health of Cockburn Sound is highly valued by Recfishwest. The potential environmental impact of the project on Cockburn Sound is the underlying factor influencing Recfishwest's support. Cockburn Sound is the most intensively used recreational boating fishing location in Western Australia. The cumulative environmental impact that each successive development has placed on Cockburn Sound marine environment is a fundamental concern to Recfishwest. Minimising the environmental footprint of this project must be one of the proponent's major priorities.

After environmental health, the cumulative loss of access to recreational fishers in Cockburn Sound is the next greatest concern to Recfishwest. Should Option 1 be successful as the preferred design, Recfishwest respectfully requests that the proponent considers the following aspects to help cater to recreational fishers access;

• Access by recreational fishers to the outer wall of the harbour. This would be a highly valued shore based fishing location allowing people to fish in deeper water. Recfishwest understands that parts of the outer wall would need to be closed for public safety reasons, however, a designated fishing platform on the outer wall would be a safe and highly popular recreational fishing location.
  
  
• Recreational boating access to fish inside the harbour as well as access to fish the proposed desalination and power plant discharge pipe. The influx of this hyper-saline warm water will be an attractant to fish and hence be popular with recreational fishers.
  
  
• A fishing platform under the causeway bridge (similar to the Mandurah bridge) which has wheelchair access for disabled fishers.
  
  
• Improvement to the carpark and lighting at the base of the bridge to the island.
  
  
• Construction of an alternative boat launching facility in Cockburn Sound to compensate for any impact on the Sutton Road Boat Ramp.

Recfishwest believes that if these simple requests are met by the proponents the level of support for the project from the recreational fishing community will be much greater.

Should you require any further information or clarification please don't hesitate to contact me on 9246 3366.



This page last updated on 10 October 2006.