Eden Marina ready to go

Cattle Bay Marina impression © T2Q Architectural Artist, Rob Cot

A recent judgement in the NSW Land and Environment Court has upheld an appeal by Eden Marina against the Bega Valley Shire Council and in the process Eden Marina has been granted development consent.

Commissioner Bish found that an out of court agreement between Eden Cattle Bay Marina Pty Ltd and Bega Valley Shire Council was one which the Court could have made in the proper exercise of its function. The Court orders declared that the appeal lodged by Eden Cattle Bay Marina Pty Ltd is upheld and that the arrangement to amend sewerage and water disposal from the marina is accepted by the Court.

With the final point of contention now resolved, the Eden Marina has been granted development consent meaning that the project can proceed. With a Development Approval in hand, a Construction Certificate is now being sought by the developer.

Further, a detailed NSW Government Crown Land Lease agreement is in the final stages of discussion and is expected to be concluded towards the end of April.

Eden Marina is a project ready to commence and now only requires funding support from the NSW Government for the wave attenuator to proceed. With the timely approval of Government funding, the first boats could be entering Eden Marina late 2019.

The NSW state government funding sought for the Cattle Bay wave attenuator is $8m. The NSW government has previously funded wave attenuators in many other coastal towns such as Coffs Harbour, Nelson Bay, Wollongong, Tweed Heads & Yamba.

"The developers are ready to go and commence works on the marina once the NSW Government steps up and provides the essential infrastructure," said Eden Marina spokesperson, Bob Carter.

"Our specialist marina consultant Michael Jarvin has been to Tasmania to inspect the exact wave attenuator specified for Cattle Bay. The contractor, Tasmarine Construction, has their marina construction rig currently at Port Welshpool and they're ready to go and start work at Cattle Bay."

"Eden Marina at Cattle Bay is a significant project which will deliver great economic, social and tourism benefits to regional NSW. It will also provide all of the maritime safety needs in Eden; specifically, a safe haven for passing vessels and a protected marina for local boaters."

"At Cattle Bay there is a compelling business case where a NSW Government funded wave attenuator will kick start a 154 berth marina, 4 ½ star international hotel, serviced apartments, restaurant, terrace and conference centre with housing development... a comprehensive resort."

The Cattle Bay complex is in very close proximity to the cruise ship wharf currently under construction. The marina will provide a whole raft of activities and facilities for tourists to enjoy.

Once built, the benefits of Eden Marina to the local economy are well documented and undisputed. In the first four years of the project, the local employment impact will be 150 direct and in-direct jobs per year. Continuing employment across the hotel/restaurant/marina group is calculated to be almost 100 direct and in-direct jobs. The capital expenditure of the complete Cattle Bay project, comprising marina complex plus hotel and residential development, is $127.9m.

The Eden Marina project has the unqualified support of The Boating Industry Association. BIA President Alan Blake commented that the Eden Marina is a desperately sought development.

"Boating facilities on the Sapphire Coast are extremely limited," Mr. Blake said.

"This is just as much a safety issue as well as an opportunity to provide boaters on the Sapphire Coast with a world class, safe marina at Cattle Bay. There is an urgent and critical need to provide a safe haven for boaters sailing in Bass Strait, plus strong consumer demand for this marina to be built."

"It is time for action and time for the NSW Government to commit and allocate the funds for the wave attenuator to be built at Cattle Bay," Mr Blake concluded.