Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi has announced the go ahead for more than $50 million in maritime developments at Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays. Mr Tripodi said Sydney Superyacht Marina Pty Ltd has been chosen as the preferred proponent to redevelop the existing superyacht facility in Rozelle Bay. In the second project, All Occasion Cruises Pty Ltd has been selected to redevelop the southern side of Blackwattle Bay immediately west of the Sydney Fish Market.
The two projects are set to generate around 300 jobs in construction and ongoing services. Mr Tripodi said the superyacht facility was built to accommodate large private yachts visiting the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and has since hosted more than a hundred large vessels. “Each time one of these big yachts visits Sydney, they support local jobs in the marine and service industries such as construction, refit and repair and berthing.
“This has a flow on effect for textiles, wood products, paints and the tourism and hospitality sectors,” Mr Tripodi said.
“The average 35 metre superyacht is worth around $20million with annual running costs of $2million. When these vessels are in Sydney, these running costs are injected into the local economy.”
Sydney Superyacht Marina Pty Ltd has secured an agreement with the US based company Island Global Yachting (IGY) to manage the superyacht marina. IGY is the world’s largest operator of luxury marinas and dedicated superyacht facilities with 24 marinas under management or in development and approximately 1000 employees worldwide. IGY is building a presence in all of the major yachting destinations around the world.
Mr Tripodi said the facility has been approved for reconfiguration to 24 stern-to berths, each with an adjacent marina pontoon finger, providing for vessels varying in size, from 20 metres to 70 metres.
The marina is expected to be reconfigured in 2010.
In addition to the Superyacht Marina, Mr Tripodi said work was also set to begin on redeveloping the southern side of Blackwattle Bay into a major maritime precinct. “Much of this wharf has been derelict for too long and now is the time to return it to maritime use in support of commercial activities and our working harbour.”
Features of the proposal include:
• reconstruction of the former coal bunker
• maritime-related office and retail space
• a permanent charter vessel facility, and
• 18-berths dedicated for Sydney’s charter vessels
Subject to a full Development Assessment and public consultation, the charter fleet headquarters and working harbour development is targeted for completion in 2011