Grand opening for Spoilbank Marina
Port Hedland’s Spoilbank Marina has officially opened, heralding a new era for the Pilbara community.
The $187.5 million project, funded by BHP, the WA Government and the town of Port Hedland, will transform Port Hedland’s foreshore into a vibrant community hub, with state-of-the-art facilities including a four-lane recreational boat ramp, boat pens, a fishing jetty, and fish-cleaning facilities.
The project is aimed at alleviating the demand on existing boar launching facilities while improving access and safety for recreational boat users.
The marina, dual-named Pirra Pirra in collaboration with the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation, reflects the Kariyarra people’s deep connection to the area (Pirra Pirra translates to “seashells” in the Kariyarra language).
WA Premier Roger Cook joined Pilbara Minister Kevin Michel and hundreds of locals to celebrate the opening.
“Hedlanders have been asking for a marina at the Spoilbank for decades, and I’m proud that my WA Government has delivered,” Cook said.
“This is more than infrastructure – it will become the heart of Port Hedland, a new community hub on the waterfront for locals and visitors alike.
“Projects like these are vital for making sure our regional communities remain great places to live and work.”
WA Mining and Ports Minister David Michael highlighted the project’s economic impact, noting that over 55 per cent of the total spend was awarded to local and Aboriginal businesses.
“This waterfront transformation has supported local business and contractors, creating jobs and opportunities while also providing the Pilbara with a world-class space that fosters vibrant and cohesive communities,” Michael said.
The project also includes an art walk featuring works by Kariyarra artists.
Work on a $4 million Lotterywest-funded interactive playground is set to begin soon. Works have also begun on a $611 million upgrade to Lumsden Point in Port Hedland, which is set to facilitate imports of renewable energy infrastructure including wind turbines and blades and a key export channel of battery metals like lithium and copper concentrates.