In a major milestone for the ageing St Kilda Marina, Port Phillip Council is awarding the long-term lease to a consortium with long-standing connections to the scenic site.
Designs by the Australian Marina Development Corporation (AMDC), previously named as the preferred tenant, will unlock open space, remove most fencing and provide a modern and inviting retail/food and beverage strip – all while enhancing the location as a working marina.
Mayor Bernadene Voss said the decision followed a rigorous tender and statutory process, including an information session and further opportunity for public submissions after AMDC was named as the preferred tenant in July. Final approval will now be sought from the Governor in Council.
The lease, worth about $160 million over a 35 plus 15-year term, also features car parking slots redesigned as flexible spaces that can be activated in quiet times for a range of community events and activities, such as festivals, markets, informal sports, and recreation activities.
Dry boat storage capacity will be consolidated and slightly increased to 300, with an additional 100 capacity possible. In a further bonus for visitors attracted to the world-class views, there will be 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.
Cr Voss said Council did its best to balance the needs of the boating community with the once in a generation opportunity to make the Marina more accessible and enjoyable to visit.
“This is an exciting new chapter which provides great value for ratepayers. We believe AMDC will deliver on the site vision, developed with our community, for ‘a special place on the foreshore for everyone that welcomes a diversity of sustainable uses anchored by a working marina’.
“The expansion of open space, from four to about 50 percent, is a fantastic outcome for our community and we can’t wait to see a modern marina come to life in a couple of years.”
AMDC CEO John Edgley said the consortium is looking forward to delivering an exceptional outcome for Council and the community. “Cultural, social, environmental, and economic benefits are all built into this program. We have listened to the feedback in the submissions and will be engaging with the public and boating community as we develop detailed designs for this significant site to underpin our development application,” Mr. Edgley said.
The Marina is on Crown land, managed by the Council as the Committee of Management. Built on reclaimed land in 1968 and 1969, it was Australia’s first modern marina. Last year the current tenant’s 50-year lease expired, providing the Council with an exciting opportunity to reimagine the future of the Marina.
For more information go to https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/about-the-council/projects-and-works/st-kildamarina-project
