Cockburn Council in Western Australia has endorsed a public consultation process for the proposed stage four expansion of Port Coogee Marina, aiming to address high demand for boat berths in the region.
The $4.1 million USD plan, excluding tax, proposes 32 new private pens and four public berths on a public jetty, which would bring the total number of pens at the marina to more than 260. The city of Cockburn intends to advertise the proposal for community consultation by the end of 2025, with a report on the outcome to be presented to the council in early 2026.
According to the council, a business case prepared by Perth-based maritime facility planner Urbis found the project could provide long-term social, tourism, safety and economic benefits, and potentially generate about $3 million in annual economic value. Council endorsement of the consultation process was granted at its meeting on 12 August.
Port Coogee Marina is currently operating at 90% capacity and has waiting lists for 235 pens, with the highest demand for spaces between eight and 15 metres. Many of these lists have been closed due to their length, a situation echoed at other Perth marinas.
Under the proposed design, the expansion would include six jet ski pens, 14 pens of 10 metres, three pens of 12 metres and nine pens of 15 metres. Interest has been noted from boat owners as far south as Rockingham, where limited facilities exist between Cockburn and Mandurah.
Population forecasts suggest Cockburn’s numbers will rise from 135,150 to 178,010 by 2036, which increases the need for sporting and recreational infrastructure. The Urbis report also noted that boat ownership is rising across Perth, especially among demographics inclined towards recreational boating.
Consideration was given to a potential ferry terminal offering services to Wadjemup Rottnest Island and Garden Island, but this was not prioritised due to uncertainty over feasibility. The report concluded that existing public parking within the marina village precinct meets current planning standards, although these spaces are shared with the public and not reserved for pen holders.
The city recently amended a reserve on Maraboo Island to allow 29 existing bays for marina use and is considering commercial options for pen holder-exclusive parking.
Port Coogee Marina is located 5.5 kilometres south of Fremantle in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, and offers direct ocean access to destinations including Rottnest, Garden and Carnac Islands. Facilities include floating walkways, secure swipe-card entry, fuel services and nearby shopping and dining at Port Coogee Village.
