Boutique Koolewong Marina for Brisbane Water

Scenic Brisbane Water on the NSW Central Coast will soon welcome a new world-class marina at Koolewong, described as a boating haven one hour north of Sydney, and just up the channel from famous Woy-Woy where Spike Milligan was born.

Superior Jetties was chosen to engineer and build the concept by noted marina designers and operators, Les Binkin and Symantha Suprain.

The new, 50-berth facility will be developed adjacent to the existing structure, The Boathouse Restaurant, a popular spot for locals and tourists to the region.

Incorporated in the design are 10 catamaran berths and an additional 10 casual berths with the capacity to expand to double the size of the marina in five years, pending a new DA.

Les Binkin, co-director at Marmong Point and designer of the Trinity Point Marina on Lake Macquarie, says the project has been at least six years in the planning.

"We are thrilled that we have the green light and we aim to start driving the piles in by January 2016 with completion scheduled for June," Binkin said.

"Gosford Council was very supportive of the concept and excited at the prospect of creating a new boating, tourism and social hub between Gosford and Woy Woy."

According to Binkin, Koolewong Marina will be a destination in itself, boutique, yet open to the public.

"It will be a sophisticated, friendly marina, aiming to attract berth holders, passing cruisers and locals for a bite to eat and enjoyment of the beautiful landscape."

Koolewong is a tranquil waterfront community, blessed with natural assets such as virgin bushland, miles of cruising grounds that stretch to the Hawkesbury, Pittwater and Sydney, and man-made attractions such as an 18-hole golf course, railway, on-site parking, proximity to shops, beaches and the thriving population of the Central Coast.

"It’s a special place," says Binkin. "And key to the design is a substantial allowance for public space, with landscaping, gardens and a boardwalk that extends to Brisbane Water Drive. People will be able to come by car, bike, boat and train. Koolewong station is 300m from the marina."

Superior Jetties was appointed to the project following a competitive tender process. Superior will handle all facets of the engineering and design detail, marina construction, architectural gangways and the main entrance way.

"Superior has the expertise, the runs on the board and the team to do the job," states Binkin. "They are a very personal company. CEO, John Hogan ensures staff are available to us at all stages along the way, sharing information and progress which is important to me as the designer."

John Hogan describes the project as supplying a "full turn-key marina".

"This will be our first job using the Elite System with a concrete deck in combination with the SuperElite System that also has concrete walls in the higher impact area, still while all using aluminium whalers and elastomeric hinges. This provides flexibility and a low-maintenance solution, indicative of the customised solutions Superior can apply using our range of products."

Superior’s in-house engineering department will supply a custom-designed gangway to suit the site and complement the nautical theming of the owner’s vision for the entrance way.

"Judging by the numbers of boats and moorings already using this portion of Brisbane Waters, it’s a superb anchorage, naturally protected and expansive," adds Hogan. "It is an ideal location for a marina. This is a project whose time has come."

More at www.superiorjetties.com and www.koolewongmarina.com.au.