Onslow Boating Precinct construction to unlock Pilbara town’s tourism potential

Works to upgrade vital boating facilities in Onslow will begin next month after the contract was awarded for the long-awaited boating precinct. The contract for the $9.2 million stage one works of the Onslow Community Boating Precinct was awarded to WA-based company Ertech. The project includes a new two-lane boat launching ramp constructed with a central floating jetty located 150m north of the current facility at the Beadon Creek Maritime Facility. Works also include initial dredging to create deeper waters for safe navigation to and from the ramp, earthworks to form the ramp and construction of several rock revetment walls. It is a joint project between the Shire of Ashburton and the Department of Transport, with funding also committed from the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project. The Shire of Ashburton committed $7.9 million to the development, $900,000 was provided by the Commonwealth Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program and the State Government contributed $400,000. The Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project also contributed $1.5 million. Shire of Ashburton president Kerry White said the project had been years in planning and was another step in unlocking Onslow as a tourism destination. “It is well-known that we have some of the best fishing in Western Australia off our coastline as well as the Mackerel, Montebello and Pilbara Inshore Islands that offer pristine snorkelling and recreational boating opportunities,” she said. “This project and the planned second stage of the Onslow Community Boating Precinct will open up Onslow’s potential as a premier marine tourism destination. Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Senator Jonno Duniam said recreational fishing was an important leisure activity that contributed economic and social benefits to communities. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the exciting project would create modern new boating facilities while supporting local jobs. “The Pilbara region has a high recreational boat ownership rate of 70 vessels per 1000 people, and this project will provide new boating facilities for both local and visiting boaties as more people choose to holiday at home in WA,” she said.