The St Kilda Marina will be transformed into an inviting 24-hour destination for boating enthusiasts, residents, visitors and bike riders under a proposed long-term lease released for public feedback.
Home to one of the best views in Australia, the ageing marina requires significant investment to unlock its full potential, with many buildings and structures reaching the end of their working life.
Port Phillip Council Mayor Bernadene Voss said extensive community engagement, including design criteria informed by a 23-member Community Panel, underpinned the brief for the iconic site, which will continue to operate as a working marina.
The design proposed by preferred tenant Australian Marina Development Corporation Pty Ltd (AMDC) includes:
- Public open space at the site expanding from four to 50 per cent.
- Far less fencing to make the site more welcoming and better connected to adjacent public open space. This means the public would, for the first time, be able to gain access along the peninsula and the boundary of Marina Reserve.
- Marine Parade works to create a retail/food and beverage strip as part of a slight increase in commercial space from 3,600 m2 to 3,745 m2 net lettable area (potential for future expansion to the maximum of 5,000 m2 dependent on demand and Council approval).
- Realignment of the bay trail to address high conflict zones between bikes, pedestrians and cars and better pedestrian and bike paths through the site, with the possibility of a future additional bay trail link along the peninsula connected to the Marina Reserve side by a bridge, depending on future funding by Council.
- Carparking slots redesigned as flexible spaces which can be activated in quiet times for a range of community events and activities, such as festivals, markets, informal sports and recreation activities.
- Consolidated and slightly increased boat storage capacity to 300 within a dry boat storage facility, with an additional 100 capacity possible (dependant on demand and Council approval).
Cr Voss said community members had been clear their vision was for "a special place on the foreshore for everyone that welcomes a diversity of sustainable uses anchored by a working marina". "We believe this proposal really hits the mark in terms of the clever design and social and environmental benefits," she said.
"Our Council has also been able to negotiate a good financial outcome for ratepayers. AMDC plans to invest around $30 million in redeveloping the Marina over the first four years, will keep it in excellent condition and pay about three times more rent than we are currently receiving.
"This is a once in a generation opportunity to create a fantastic place to enhance St Kilda's reputation as Melbourne's seaside playground so we are looking forward to receiving feedback."
Written or verbal submissions on the key terms of the proposed lease can be submitted until 15 August 2020. After considering all feedback, Council will make a final decision on 16 September. If Council decides to proceed, it will provide a recommendation to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and await final approval from the Governor in Council.
Background
The Marina is on Crown land, managed by Council as the Committee of Management. Built on reclaimed land in 1968 and 1969, it was Australia's first modern marina with 200 wet pens and 250 boat dry storage.
Last year the current tenant's 50-year lease expired, providing Council with an exciting opportunity to reimagine the future of the Marina.
AMDC has been selected as the preferred tenant for a 35 year lease, with an additional 15 years conditional on meeting agreed performance criteria. The consortium includes several locally based people who have a long association with the marina. It also includes significant marina operations and redevelopment expertise and experience.
The proposed lease is worth about $160 million over 50 years.
Images: Artist impressions of the proposed designs to revitalise the St Kilda Marina
Click to enlarge
