- New boat building facility officially opened in Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour
- Facility will be new home of local boat building firm Dongara Marine
- State Government has invested $3.6M to support a new boat building precinct within the Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour
Ports Minister Rita Saffioti has today officially opened a new boat building facility in the Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour.
The facility will be the new home of local boat building firm Dongara Marine and will form part of a new precinct within the harbour.
The State Government has invested $3.6 million to support the development of the new boat building precinct including a new heavy haul road, utilities, and fire-fighting equipment.
The official opening comes just days after Dongara Marine was awarded a contract worth nearly $8 million to deliver two new pilot boats for Fremantle Port, highlighting the firm's reputation in Western Australia.
In 2021, Dongara Marine identified the need to develop a purpose-built facility to accommodate this sustained growth, taking the opportunity to relocate the business to an established marine industry at Geraldton's Fishing Boat Harbour (FBH).
The official opening of Dongara Marine comes on the same day the McGowan Government released the Development Plan for the Geraldton FBH.
The Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour Development Plan builds on the existing Port of Geraldton Masterplan and provides greater detail on potential expansion and investment opportunities that will enable more businesses to enter the harbour, creating a more vibrant and diverse precinct.
The State Government is investing in several critical projects to support the local marine, port and tourism industries in Geraldton including the $350 million Port Maximisation Project, the delivery of new jetties to support the local tourism industry and supporting the growth of the Geraldton FBH.
As stated by Ports Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Our Government is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to support the expansion of the marine industry and ports in Geraldton, and today's opening of the new Dongara Marine facility is a great example of how we're helping to grow local businesses and jobs.
"Dongara Marine is a leading example of a regional business that has embraced opportunity and invested in local people to develop the required skill sets to build a successful business.
"Dongara Marine currently supports seven apprentices within the business and employs 65 locals across an array of trades and skills relevant to boat building, and the investment and support from the Government to establish this new facility will ensure job opportunities for local citizens continues to grow.
"The opening of Dongara Marine is the start of an exciting period for the Geraldton Fishing Boat Harbour, with the release of the Development Plan today, highlighting exciting opportunities to drive new investment and business opportunities within the precinct.
As stated by Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"Whether it's the $350 million Port Maximisation Project or investing in critical infrastructure, our Government recognises the importance of the local marine and tourism industry to Geraldton and is making significant investments to support the growth of local jobs.
"The opening of Dongara Marine is just the start of a new phase of growth for the Fishing Boat Harbour, that will see local industries and local jobs grow into the future."
