$25 million boat harbour to be built in Augusta

The Western Australia Government has unveiled plans for a new $25 million boat harbour at Augusta, with construction due to start later this year.
Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett said the harbour, to be built at Flat Rock in Flinders Bay, would provide much-needed, safe direct ocean access for recreational and commercial craft between Busselton and Albany.
Premier Barnett explained "the harbour will service the region's commercial and tourism fleets while providing a regional and State destination point for the ever increasing recreational boating sector.
"There is an urgent need for a sheltered harbour at Augusta as navigation of the shallow ocean entrance to the commercial boating facility in the Blackwood River is increasingly difficult and prevailing winds and strong ocean currents make launching from the coast unsafe."
The project, funded through the Royalties for Regions program, includes the construction of two breakwaters to create a protected harbour basin featuring four boat launching ramps, boat holding jetties, a fixed 40-metre service jetty and associated facilities including at least 160 car/trailer parking bays and 90 car-only parking bays.
Further stages of development may include the provision of up to 50 boat pens and commercial development opportunities.
Premier Barnett added that the project would provide flow-on benefits to local community, stated "this is great news for local business operators and the general Augusta community.
"The new harbour is of particular importance to the existing whale watching and fishing industries, which are currently limited by lack of access to safe landing jetties.
"The project delivers on the State Government's commitment to provide improved boating infrastructure throughout Western Australia."
In the 2011-12 Western Australian Budget, $68 million was allocated to enhance recreational boating facilities across regional WA.