February Construction Update: new boat ramp rollout

Construction continues at the Ocean Reef Marina development after a short end-of-year break, with the new boat ramp rollout to start shortly.

Works are moving fast across the site to support meeting key milestones for Stage 1 works into 2025.

• The family beach and coastal pool areas are progressing well, with rock revetment installation and sand placement both nearly complete (rock revetment is the placement of rocks along newly reclaimed areas that protect the land by absorbing and deflecting the energy of waves and currents).
• Underground service installations for electrical, sewer, and stormwater drainage are ongoing. These essential infrastructure works will service 1,000 future residential dwellings and 12,000 sqm of retail and commercial space at project completion.
• Communications for emergency services and the National Broadband Network (NBN) will be installed to service the development.
• Pavement installation is ongoing to complete the permanent boat trailer car park and provide access to new boat ramps, which are expected to partially open in mid to late February.
• Street lighting is being installed in the boat trailer car park and along Boat Harbour Quays.
• Piling has begun for the installation of approximately 240 metres of secant piles—concrete and steel columns that create a structural wall to protect against wave action and fluctuating water levels. This edge will also provide a defined vertical boundary for the marina, complementing the future boat mooring jetties within the basin.
• To minimise the impact of hot weather on concrete pours during the warmer months, the City of Joondalup has approved earlier start times. Noise monitoring has confirmed that the works remain below the required threshold and are not expected to disturb residents.

Boat ramp changes

Works at the new boat ramps are progressing well, with precast panel installation and concrete works nearly complete. Due to the logistical constraints of maintaining public access to the existing boat ramps, a staged approach is required to allow for the commissioning and opening of the new ramps.

A partial opening of the new boat ramps is scheduled for mid to late February 2025.

Partial opening of new boat ramps

• Southern ramps opening: Initially, four new southern boat ramps will open as part of the phased commissioning process. See green box in Figure 1 for details.
• Temporary pontoons: The floating pontoons from the existing ramps will be reused temporarily while new pontoons are being manufactured.
• Ramp closures: Once the four new southern boat ramps are operational, the current ramps will be closed and demolished to make way for the final stages of construction.
• Public access: Public access to the ramps will be maintained throughout all stages of construction and commissioning.
• Full opening: All eight new ramps are expected to open to the public in mid to late 2025.
• Lighting trial: A trial of suitable lighting for the floating pontoons will be conducted. Based on the results, additional lighting will be rolled out across the remaining pontoons.

New boat ramps – did you know?

• The floating jetties at the boat ramps will be entirely new, designed for modern use.
• The new jetties will be at least 24m longer than the existing ones, providing extra space for launching and retrieving vessels.
• Boat ramps have been extended beyond Australian Standard depth requirements to accommodate a wider range of vessels.
• The toe of the ramp is 1.46m below the lowest astronomical tide (standard is 1.2m below lowest astronomical tide for deep draft vessels).
• A 100m extension will be added to the southern jetty, including a kayak launching ramp!
• Once completed, the new jetties will be the longest in the Perth metro area!

Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club building takes shape

The Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club building had already begun to take shape before Christmas with the concrete panel walls lifted into position, the first floor concrete slab poured, and the concrete stairs set in place. Now, with 2025 underway, the momentum continues. In the coming months, structural steel will be installed on the first floor followed by roofing and external stud walls. Internal services are also being installed throughout the ground floor. The new Marine Rescue Whitfords building also had its last major concrete pour. Check out the video below to see it in action!

What’s next?

Underground service installation (electrical, sewer, and stormwater drainage) will continue, as well as road pavement construction.

Landscaping works will start for the ocean-themed playground featuring a lobster along with terraced lawns, creating an inviting vibrant space for families.

A bike pump track is being designed to provide an area for mountain bike or BMX riders of all ages and skill levels.

Works associated with the new family beach area and the destination basin edge wall will continue, along with construction of the next four new boat ramps. Further details will be provided in the next Construction Update.