How did the concept of a Dive Park for the metropolitan area come about?

Prior to the 2001 State election, Mr Mark McGowan MLA, Member for Rockingham, explored ideas for enhancing tourism amenities in the Rockingham area. With the knowledge that an existing 12 wrecks lay on the ocean floor off Rockingham, he developed a concept that would involve the establishment of an official dive trail, enabling divers to explore these wrecks in a safe and organised manner.

Mr McGowan had talks with numerous stakeholders, including dive operators, Rockingham City Council, the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the local business community and the general public. With their ideas and input, he developed a proposal for a West Coast Dive Park which became part of the Labor Government’s pre-election policy platform.

What existing dive wrecks are located within the Dive Park area?

Amur (1887)
Belle of Bunbury (1886)
Carlisle Castle (1899)
Chalmers (1874)
Contest (1874)
Dolphin (1930)
Hero of the Nile P.A. (1876)
Highland Forest (1901)
James Service (1878)
SS Orizaba (1905)
Robertina (1859)
Star (1880)

Further details of these wrecks and their histories will be published as part of a promotional and awareness campaign for the Dive Park.

When will any further wrecks be sunk?

Yes, as they become available. The Government is considering a number of possibilities and further information will be released as and when wrecks become available for sinking.

Ex fishing fleet trawlers, cargo ships and barges would be considered, along with naval ships and submarines.

Where exactly is the Dive Park located?

Off the Rockingham Coastline, in a 279 kilometre area stretching from Casuarina Shoal to the James Service Reef and including the five-fathom bank and western portion of Warnbro Sound. The Dive Park is located within the boundaries of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. The park includes locations with depths up to 25 metres. It is a sandy-bottomed basin of water with fringing reefs that offer added protection. The water clarity is high, and the area is outside major boating and shipping channels.

When will the Dive Park be created?

The Dive Park was identifed in April 2003. The existing dive attractions are being mapped and photographed. The major launch of the Dive Park will take place with the sinking of the first purpose-prepared dive wreck.

What approvals are required for the State Government to create the Dive Park?

There are no approvals required to create a Dive Park; however, the Government must comply with Environment Australia regulations in the sinking of any future wrecks.

Who is behind the detailed planning of the Dive Park?

A West Coast Dive Park Steering Committee is chaired by Mr Mark McGowan MLA and consists of representatives from all Government Departments with an interest in the creation of the Park.

How will wrecks be sunk in order to ensure safety and meet environmental requirements?

The wrecks will be cleaned and prepared prior to sinking in accordance with the Commonwealth Sea Dumping Act. The cleaning process would rid the vessels of any noxious, hazardous and polluting material.

They will then be sunk with the permission of Environment Australia under the provisions of the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 and any State statutes that may apply.

The site selected for each wreck would be one with a sandy bottom and with no habitat available for marine communities and will be undertaken in consultation with all affected community groups.

Are dive wrecks considered to be “environmentally-friendly”?

As stated above, any new wrecks will be sunk according to strict environmental regulations. The existing 12 wrecks in the Park are not considered to have had any adverse impact on the marine environment.

It is widely considered that wrecks provide a haven for fish and marine life. International experience has shown that dive wrecks help to create new environments. They also lift human awareness of marine life and the need for its preservation.

How will people access the Dive Park?

It is anticipated that when a ship suitable for sinking has been acquired that the Government will call for tenders for a dive operator to conduct tours to the Dive Park. The public will be required to use this operator. The possibility of private diving expeditions will be discussed with the manager of the Park and the successful tenderer. Further details will be released upon appointment of the successful tenderer. The wrecks and attractions currently existing in the Dive Park have no restrictions and public access is allowed to these sites at all times.

Which Government Department will be responsible for the ongoing management of the Dive Park?

Overall responsibility will reside with the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Will the presence of a Dive Park restrict other aquatic activity in the area?

For safety reasons, a fishing exclusion zone will be declared around the site of each purpose designed and sunk vessel. No exlcusion. It is considered that the area in question is so large that the exclusion zones will cause very little restriction to fishing activity.

How is the Dive Park being funded?

The State Government has allocated an initial $100,000 in seed funding. Ongoing management costs are expected to be offset by fees raised by the nominated operator of the purpose prepared dive sites.

The cost of creating the Dive Park is expected to be realised by Government funding, sponsorship and support from volunteers. Vessels to be prepared as dive wrecks are expected to be at the end of their economic lives and should be acquired at little cost.

What economic benefits will be gained from the creation of the Dive Park?

Recreational diving is a rapidly-growing pastime. It contributes some $520 million to the Australian economy every year nationally — $120 million of this in WA alone. The West Coast Dive Park will provide a world-class diving attraction that is certain to bring international and interstate visitors to Perth and Rockingham. In turn, demand for Dive Park tourism may also increase demand for ancillary services in Rockingham such as accommodation, thereby stimulating tourism industry development and job growth.

What is the purpose of this public consultation?

The West Coast Dive Park Steering Committee is keen to hear from any members of the public who have ideas or comments that may assist in enhancing the amenity of this diving attraction. Those ideas will be considered in the detailed planning and decisions regarding the ongoing operation and management of the Dive Park.

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