Shellharbour City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Marine Holdings Australia Pty Limited (MHA) as the operator of Shellharbour Marina.
The new operator has secured a lease for a term up to 30 years for operations of what will be a 270-berth marina and boat maintenance facility.
MHA will help deliver the Shell Cove Business Plan's strategic goals associated with the marina's operation.
Stage 1 of Shellharbour Marina will have 145 berths and be available in late July, with boats expected to come into the marina soon after. When the demand is there for Stage 2, the balance of the pontoons will be manufactured and installed.
Led by highly respected marina operator Les Binkin, MHA will be responsible for establishing and operating a successful marina business at Shellharbour Marina, including marketing and seeking marina berth-holders to moor within the Shell Cove Harbour.
Mr Binkin has more than 25 years' experience in the marina industry, owning and operating marinas in Gosford and Lake Macquarie.
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba: "Shellharbour Marina is open for business in terms of berth registrations"
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said the announcement of the marina operator was a sign to boating enthusiasts around Australia that marina was officially "open for business" in terms of registering for a berth.
"We are thrilled to have secured the services of such a successful and highly respected marina operator. Mr Binkin's success in the industry is second-to-none - Shellharbour Marina is one of our city's greatest assets and I know it is going to be in very safe hands," Cr Saliba said.
"Shellharbour Marina is Australia's new world-class boating destination. A safe harbour of this significance between Sydney and Eden has been on the infrastructure agenda for decades, so there is great anticipation among boaties as well as the local community.
"We've already received hundreds of inquiries about berths and services, so we know everyone is as excited as we are.
"We will sequentially deliver everything required for boat enthusiasts to enjoy this superb location including a dry stack boat storage facility, berthing, maintenance yard, fuelling and services, all complemented by dining and entertainment options on the waterfront.
"The tourism and jobs this project generates continue to be a great economic boost not just for Shellharbour but for our entire region," she said.
An engineer by trade, Mr Binkin is passionate about boating and said that the Shellharbour Marina was "world class", offering a premium facility and marine services.
Council aims for the Marina to eventually have a 'Five Gold Anchors' accreditation within the Global Gold Anchor Scheme. Council's expectation is to also achieve "Clean Marina" and "Fish Friendly" statuses within its first years of operation.
Les Binkin - Owner, Marine Holdings Australia: "Shellharbour Marina is world-class"
"From my extensive experience, I can say that the Shellharbour Marina is truly world-class, and there are so many opportunities to really put it on the map," Mr Binkin said.
"We want to run regattas, fishing competitions, tag into Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as a support facility for training in the lead up."
"I am looking forward to spending a lot of time here and becoming established in the community," he said.
Boat maintenance facility
The serviced site (11,000m2) for marine associated uses is located adjacent to the outer harbour and when completed will comprise boat maintenance, service and repair area and dry-stack storage. The maintenance area will provide undercover work bays to undertake maintenance and repair activities and will be equipped with a travel lift capable of transporting boats up to 75 tonnes. The boat maintenance facility will also house high-flow fuel.
About Shellharbour Marina
Shellharbour Marina is centrally located on the New South Wales South Coast surrounded by two State Parks, Bass Point and Killalea Reserve.
Shellharbour Marina is just (110km) 60 nautical miles south of Sydney Harbour, 30 nautical north of Jervis Bay by sea, and only 213km from Canberra. It is an ideal spot for a relaxing weekend holiday with family and friends or those that need relief from a busy lifestyle.
The marina is located within The Waterfront, Shell Cove, a masterplanned community by Shellharbour City Council, with Frasers Property Australia, in a natural coastal setting surrounded by beaches, parks and wetlands but close to schools, transport and major centres.
The 270-berth boat harbour and Shellharbour Marina next to the lively town centre featuring a retail precinct, with specialty shops and restaurants on the marina's edge. A hotel will located adjacent to The Waterfront Tavern, children's beach, library and community centre.
To register for a marina berth visit: www.shellharbourmarina.com/register
