Green light for upgrade

Applause erupted in the City of Albany council chambers as councillors endorsed upgrades to the Emu Point Boat Pens at a council meeting on Tuesday night.

Emu Point boat owners and community members were elated with the unanimous decision which will see the debilitated moors transformed into a floating pontoon system.

To repair the infrastructure, the City will borrow $1.8 million from WA Treasury Corporation over 20 years. The upgrades will bring the boat pens in line with the Department of Transport-owned facilities also at Emu Point and at the Albany marina.

Fees and charges for the completed project are expected to jump to about $380 a metre a year, compared with $215 a metre a year.

Speaking to the council, Cr Ray Hammond said it had been an arduous journey to upgrade the infrastructure but they had reached the “desired outcome”.

“The development will provide benefits on many fronts,” he said.

Councillors will also vote on whether to accept the tender for the works from Sydney-owned SMC Marine.