By Brett White, Licensee – RE/MAX Extreme
As someone who’s spent years helping people settle into Perth’s northern suburbs, it’s exciting to see a project like Ocean Reef Marina take shape — not just because it’s a new marina, but because of what it means for our coastline, our economy, and the broader Western Australian community.
Setting a New Benchmark for Sustainable Development
In an Australian first for a marina, Ocean Reef Marina has achieved the top EnviroDevelopment certification from the Urban Development Institute of Australia. This means its design and construction meet independent sustainability standards across six important areas: ecosystems, water, energy, materials, waste and community benefits.
A few facts that stand out:
- More than 80% of construction waste so far has been diverted from landfill — with recycled materials reused for local roads, drainage and parking infrastructure.
- A renewable energy microgrid will be built to serve future homes and businesses at the marina. This is expected to help households cut their annual energy bills by up to 30%.
Projects like this show how Western Australia is adapting development to protect our environment while supporting growth — something our coastline will benefit from for decades to come.
What the Marina Will Deliver for Our Community
Ocean Reef Marina is a major state-backed project — with more than $270 million of investment to date. Over the years, it will deliver:
- Around 1,000 new dwellings, adding a mix of apartments, townhouses and homes to help meet WA’s growing demand for coastal living.
- About 12,000 square metres of new commercial and retail floorspace — bringing new local cafés, shops and services to our northern corridor.
- Over 5 hectares of public open space for locals and visitors — including parks, pathways and playgrounds to make the coast more accessible.
- WA’s first 50-metre ocean pool, alongside a new family-friendly beach built with more than 7,500 tonnes of sand — both expected to open in 2026 with stage one.
These features are designed not just for tourism, but to provide new lifestyle options for people living right here in our northern suburbs — from Ocean Reef and Currambine to Burns Beach, Kinross and surrounding areas.
Boosting Local Jobs and Local Activity
Since the early works began in 2021, Ocean Reef Marina has already provided jobs for thousands of West Australians. So far, the project is on track to:
- Support about 8,600 jobs through the construction phase.
- Sustain more than 900 ongoing local jobs once fully operational — across hospitality, retail, marine services and community amenities.
The new Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club, Marine Rescue Whitfords and Joondalup City RSL facilities are also progressing and expected to open by late 2025 — adding valuable community services and local meeting places.
Looking Ahead
Civil works for the full marina are scheduled to continue through to 2030, with the broader build-out extending beyond 2036. While it’s a long-term project, each milestone brings fresh opportunities for our region — from new housing to new businesses and public spaces for everyone to enjoy.
For homeowners and investors, it’s worth keeping an eye on projects like this. Long-term investments in coastal infrastructure tend to bring lasting value to local communities — especially when they’re built around sustainability, tourism and jobs.
If you’d like to understand what Ocean Reef Marina could mean for your own plans — whether you live in the area now or you’re thinking about it — my team and I are always here for a chat. Reach out to Brett, Kathy or Cristina at the Brett White Team anytime.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute financial advice.
Source: PerthNow/DevelopmentWA