The first stage – a state-of-the-art dry stack facility – of the much-anticipated Shoalhaven City Marina is expected to be operational in the first half of 2011, providing local and visiting anglers with a convenient base from which to access fish-rich reefs such as the famous Sir Joseph Young Banks, which lie just 10nm from the marina precinct.
Located near Nowra, just 150km south of Sydney, on the edge of Berrys Canal – which links the Shoalhaven and Crookhaven rivers to create a navigable passage to the Tasman Sea – Shoalhaven City Marina is the first development of its kind on the NSW South Coast.
When fully developed, the facility will provide a 200+ berth modern floating pontoon marina, a 240+ berth dry stack facility, an up-market clubhouse and a full suite of industrial marine support services – including facilities for boat builders and manufacturers of other marine products.
Fully funded and with the first council DA approval already in place, Shoalhaven City Marina is one of very few freehold marina developments in NSW. Owned by Albury Holdings, the marina is being developed by Southern Cross Waterfronts (SCW).
SCW’s Simone Coombes said the entire site was being developed in a “carefully-phased manner” in response to demand from the market.
“The first stage of the development is the dry stack facility, where anglers can store their boats, rather than having to tow them considerable distances every time they want to go fishing,” Ms Coombes said.
“Just 14 nautical miles north of Jervis Bay, the marina is perfectly positioned for exploring the pristine waters of Jervis Bay or the upper reaches of the Shoalhaven River, and as a base for recreational or charter boats.”
Local anglers say the marina will provide safe and easy access to popular locations such as the Banks, which is well known for producing XOS kingfish, snapper, tuna, sharks and black marlin. The Shoalhaven has long been popular with game and sport anglers from around NSW but the area’s fishing potential has been hampered by a serious lack of boating facilities and infrastructure.
The Shoalhaven City Marina will allow access and storage options for a wide range of offshore fishing vessels, opening up the extensive system of canyons and drop-offs on the continental shelf east of Jervis Bay. These deep-water systems offer excellent offshore game fishing for blue, black and striped marlin, plus yellowfin and bigeye tuna, albacore, southern bluefin tuna, mahi mahi and mako sharks.
The development will also incorporate a clubhouse which will provide a safe and pleasant environment for club members and guests, including first-class facilities to unwind after a long day on the water. A large marina, with space for up to 200 mono-hull and catamaran vessels varying in length from 10-20m, and a full-service marine industrial park, are also part of the plans.
“Once completed, Shoalhaven City Marina will provide a one-stop shop for all boating-related requirements in the region,” Ms Coombs said.
With recent mainstream media coverage highlighting the fact Sydney Harbour is reaching its marina capacity, Shoalhaven City Marina’s close proximity to both Sydney and Canberra is a very attractive option for keen boaties and anglers.
In that light, Shoalhaven City Marina is seeking registrations of interest in its dry stack facility that will cater for boats up to 10m (LOA) and which is anticipated to be operational by Easter 2011. The monthly cost for a 10m dry stack berth on a three-year lease is $440, which includes 10 free lifts per month. The dry stack will be complemented by a dedicated fuelling wharf and boat yard.
Both the fuelling wharf and boat yard will be available to visiting boats as well as boats stored in the dry stack. The fuelling wharf will be the first environmentally and OH&S compliant fuelling facility in the Shoalhaven.
Boat owners using the dry stack will also be offered a range of supporting services to maximise their boating and fishing experience. Offering live bait, full valet services, refuelling and comprehensive boat maintenance, repair and build services, Shoalhaven City Marina aims to rival the best dry stack facility on the East Coast.
For more information contact Simone Coombes on 0428 428273; email: simone@shoalhavencitymarina.com.au. Website: www.shoalhavencitymarina.com.au
Stand by for more news on the Shoalhaven City Marina in Fishing World magazine and on www.fishingworld.com.au.
