Nationals WA slam State Government for failing to deliver promised artificial reef in Carnarvon by 2024

The State Government has been slammed for neglecting regional communities after failing to deliver an artificial reef in the Gascoyne region, which was promised by the end of the year. In May, Fisheries Minister Don Punch announced a $1.4 million commitment for an artificial reef in Carnarvon, providing a place for recreational fishing off the coast, 7km south-west of Pelican Point. The tender process closed on May 22, however no progress has been made since. Both the Nationals WA and WA Liberal Party claim the failure to deliver the artificial reef was a broken promise for the Gascoyne region. In Parliament last week, Opposition Leader Shane Love questioned if a tender had been awarded and if not, what the reasons were preventing the tender being awarded. In response, Mr Punch said no suitable tenders were identified in the procurement process and he could not confirm when tenders would open again. “A new tender process with refined specifications will be undertaken for the design, construction and deployment of an artificial reef off Carnarvon,” he said. Mr Love said failure to award a tender five months after the project was announced was another example of how the State Government was neglecting regional communities. “This much-anticipated project has failed to eventuate, with Labor’s lowball funding failing to attract a single tender to deliver enhanced fishing and diving opportunities for locals and visitors to the Gascoyne,” he said. Since the closure of Carnarvon’s One Mile Jetty in 2017, the community has faced dwindling recreational fishing opportunities. Mr Love said fishers, visitors and tourism providers had been let down, first with little progress on restoring the jetty and now failing to deliver on the promise of an artificial reef. “One Mile Jetty is now just one of two heritage timber jetties left in WA and getting on with its reconstruction is vital to ensure this community asset can once again be enjoyed by visitors and locals.” Liberal Member for North West Central Merome Beard said not having the artificial reef get off the ground was another “kick in the guts” for the Carnarvon community. “A complete lack of action with the artificial reef confirms that Carnarvon just isn’t on the Governments radar — no maternity, a lack of police, youth crime issues and housing are all being swept under the carpet,” she said. Mr Punch said the State had been working hard to get the reef in the water and it was disappointing that the tender process was unsuccessful. “We are confident the new tender process will result in a successful outcome for Carnarvon,” he said. “The reef will provide a valuable new fishing opportunity, which will benefit the keen local fishing community and act as a drawcard for visitors to the region.”