Melbourne Gets New Marina for CBD

Macquarie Leisure Trust Group and Lend Lease announce the development of a 178 berth floating marina to be situated at Victoria Harbour, the centre of Melbourne's inner city Docklands precinct subject to approval from VicUrban. Macquarie Leisure's d'Albora Marinas business will build and operate the facility.

Victoria Harbour is now rapidly delivering on its master plan to offer an eclectic mix of commercial, retail and residential space as an extension to the CBD. The Marina, to be called d'Albora Marina at Victoria Harbour, will be situated at the waterfront end of Bourke Street. First phase of construction is expected to start in June with 72 moorings for boats from 10-35 metres due for completion by the end of the year.

Commenting on Macquarie Leisure's development plans, Greg Shaw, chief executive officer of Macquarie Leisure, said the project represents an important expansion of the Group's d'Albora Marina business.

"With limited marina acquisition opportunities in Australia, these initiatives provide us with opportunities to grow the business with projects supported by long term demand trends."

Mr Shaw said the development reflected the growing popularity of boat ownership across Australia and the trend for marinas to be part of an overall leisure destination for local communities.

Maurice Cococcia, Lend Lease's project director for Victoria Harbour, said the development represented an exciting phase of development for the city, opening up new leisure opportunities along the city's waterways. Melbourne recently hosted the Volvo Challenge stopover and the Summer Boat Show at the Docklands, giving Melbournians a taste of what their city could offer as water destination.

d'Albora Marinas are also located at Akuna Bay, The Spit, Rushcutter's Bay, Nelson Bay and Cabarita Point in NSW, as well as Pier 35 in Victoria. d'Albora Marinas at Victoria Harbour will differentiate itself from nearby competitors by offering flexible lease terms. The 10 berths closest to the city will be open 24 hours a day for short-term berthing ranging from one hour to a few days, while the remaining 62 will be available for longer term leasing from one month to five years.

As Australia's largest marina operator, d'Albora can also offer unique reciprocal mooring at its six other marinas and provide a seven day boat management service at the Victoria Harbour marina.