A state-of-the-art $16m marina featuring an array of services has officially opened on the Sunshine Coast.
The opening of the Pelican Waters Marina is the culmination of an eight-year collaboration between joint venture partners Pelican Waters Heart, which developed Pelican Waters, and Les Binkin’s Marine Holdings Australia, which designed and will operate the facility.
The marina boasts the only fully enclosed dry stack boat storage facility in the region.
Pelican Waters general manager of development Hamish Pressland said it was a proud moment to deliver the marina under challenging conditions.
“After a lengthy collaboration period, the JV (joint venture) was signed in 2019 and construction began in 2021,” he said via a media release.
“In a challenging environment imposed by the pandemic, the global supply shortage, rising inflation and interest rates, we navigated through to completion and will take great satisfaction in seeing boating enthusiasts and the wider community share the rewards.”
The marina comprises a fully enclosed 3000sqm shed for storage of 160 boats up to 10m in length, offering its clients unlimited boat lifts, one-hour launch and retrieval service, boat wash-down and engine flush, while they enjoy the marina amenities.
There are also wet berths providing safe harbour for 126 vessels up to 17m in length, all supplied with power, water and access to the floating fuel facility with diesel and premium unleaded options, including sewage pump-out servicing the marina and broader boating communities.
“Boat owners have responded strongly, securing a number of spaces in the dry stack facility as well as the wet berths,” Mr Pressland said.
“We know there are many people who have been watching with interest the construction of our new marina so we would encourage them to make contact to secure their berth.
“We encourage others who wish to be a part of this thriving marina hub where their boats are secure and all their service needs are met to get in now while spaces remain.
“Our marina manager and joint venture partner, Les Binkin, has decades of experience in the marina industry, has specialised in developing and managing world class marinas and is excited to be a part of the marina and boating community on the Sunshine Coast.”
Pelican Waters offers an ‘early bird special’ of dry boat storage from $450 per month for a 6m vessel, and marina berths from $750 per month for a 10m berth.
Boats were already lining up for the precinct’s speciality boatyard services including boat anti-fouling, prop-speed maintenance and marine repair, with other businesses including a shipwright, marine electrician and marine mechanic due onboard in the very near future.
Mr Binkin said there were exciting opportunities for businesses.
“Our advice for operators of businesses suited to a marine based environment would be to get in touch to find out how to become part of the team,” he said.
“We are really looking for marine professional businesses who are keen to open up or transfer their business into the marina.
“We already have boats lined up for maintenance work to be carried out. We would love to work with experienced marine based businesses such as mechanics, electricians, canvasser’s etc to provide a one stop shop for all vessels in this region of the Sunshine Coast and beyond.
“Our staff have decades of experience in both boating and managing marinas.
“Brent Wilson will be our man on the ground at the Pelican Waters Marina.
“He comes to us with experience ranging from boat building to marina and hardstand management. Contact us and he will be the one to talk to you about satisfying your boating, berthing and servicing queries.”
As the hub of nautical activity for the southern Sunshine Coast, the marina is a home to the Caloundra Coast Guard – the go-to authority for navigational safety and updated channel conditions for marina users.
The marina will also soon be home to an exclusive indoor and outdoor dining venue with breathtaking east-facing water views. It’s set to be a focal point of the marina lifestyle precinct.
Mr Binkin said environmental and sustainability visions had been paramount in the construction and delivery of the marina.
“The marina implements a specialised sewerage pump-out system for boats, provides a specialised boatyard for marine repairs in accordance with best practice to manage waste and runoff, and offers marine berths versus moorings in the Pumicestone Passage, which can impact on sea grass and other aquatic plants via anchor damage,” he said.
“We have worked closely with Unitywater, Sunshine Coast Council and other authorities to operate as a clean marina and safe harbour for boaties, ensuring the waterways are protected.
“After nearly a decade in planning and construction, and now open as a fully operational marina, we feel this is just the beginning.
“We want all our marina industry tenants to prosper and provide a quality service to the community.
“We encourage boat brokers, charter boats and businesses such as whale tour operators to join the team and discuss opportunities.
“As the region continues to flourish as one of SEQ’s premier lifestyle and investment hubs, with some 2000 new residences and multiple business coming on line with Pelican Waters’ upcoming Marina Village development alone, and a forecasted 20,000 new dwellings planned for nearby Aura over the next decade, the outlook is very exciting.”
Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily.
