1st April 2008

Mr Mark Newman
Chief Executive Officer
City of Mandurah
P O Box 210
MANDURAH WA 6210

Dear Mr Newman

Hire Boats and Water Taxis.

The Port Mandurah Residents’ Association was recently asked by our Ward Councillor to consider and make comment on proposals to expand the boat hire facilities in Mandurah.

We are on record, through our contribution to the Foreshore Focus 2020 precinct study, to support the development of a Water Taxi business in some form that may operate within the Canals and City. We feel that such a service, if well organised, would receive considerable patronage by some of our members.

We understand that the long-established Hire Boat Business which now operates from near the Stage Door, has changed hands and the new owner wishes to upgrade the facilities and the standard of the boats. We also support this style of business and despite increased traffic within the canals have had few complaints. As a result, we would generally support limited expansion of this enterprise.

As we have not seen any specific details we would like to reserve the right to object if the nature of these relatively passive and unobtrusive craft were to change significantly. We feel that there is an opportunity for a premium level of boat hire as exists in some European cities.

Yours faithfully
John Randall
President PMRA