Poralu Marine deliver the longest public floating wave attenuator in Australia

The longest public floating wave attenuator in Australia © Poralu Marine

Ideally nested in the Port Phillip bay, the Geelong Waterfront is one of the most popular seaside locations in Victoria. The marina is part of a large waterfront development offering various touristic and recreational points of interest, including the Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC).

RGYC is well known for organising the Festival of Sails amongst other major events.

Wave protection and redevelopment of the floating marina

Poralu Marine, an international leader in marina design and construction, has just completed a major project in Victoria at RGYC as the main general contractor for this turn-key entire multi-million-dollar project including design and installation. Thanks to its newly extended range of products, Poralu Marine engineered and delivered a perfect hybrid and resilient solution: heavy duty wide floating concrete wave attenuator to protect the first stage of a brand-new aluminium made marina and to benefit of all the advantages of this high-tech metal. The harbour that could previously shelter 280 berths has been completely remodelled simultaneously with the waterfront. The fixed jetties will eventually be replaced by the floating versatile system to offer around 360 berths which can moor boats ranging from eight to twenty-seven meters.

This project marks an important milestone for the Victorian shores. Wangim Walk (which means boomerang in the Wadawurrung language) is a 440-meter-long concrete public wave attenuator and amongst the longest built in Australia in similar area exposed to strong winds. With its width of five to six meters and its 20-meter-long gangway, the wave attenuator is highly noticeable and was designed not only to welcome visitors for a unique on-water experience but also as a wave protection for the harbour and to facilitate the berthing of temporary vessels and mega yachts.

Public access being the essence of this redevelopment, the Club and the Authorities were especially vigilant in ensuring that the overall on water infrastructure would offer a combination of hospitality and safety. Poralu Marine provided a universal access gangway, elegant kerbing and lighting, safety ladders, and state of the art fire protection to ensure maximum safety.

An Innovative breakwater technology

Poralu Marine introduced an innovative wave attenuator designed to push the limits of traditional floating breakwater. RGYC was looking for a high-performance solution to cope with a particularly exposed site. Robustness and efficiency through attenuation was key in selecting Poralu Marine.

The European technology, developed to withstand the rough northern Europe seas, is composed of heavy floating concrete units with the smallest weighing 90 tons. This mass ensures unmatched attenuation performances, increased level of stability and limited roll for the comfort and safety of the publicly accessible promenade.

New generation marina systems

RGYC is undertaking an ambitious renovation process to offer modern enhanced facilities. Choosing Poralu Marine's custom made aluminium based products will ensure these goals are met.

"RGYC was looking for a high-end solution to support its development. Poralu Marine answered with an innovative and customisable system to design and build the whole project," says Marie Hegot, Regional Manager for Poralu Marine. "Modern and elegant shapes and materials drive the land base redevelopment, and it is common sense that the floating infrastructure supplied integrates itself in such an ambitious design" she adds.

Knowing that this redevelopment will be an asset for the future generations, it was crucial to choose materials that could easily be dismantled and recycled at the end of the marina's life. With an investment program aiming to support entrepreneurs in their development of sustainable solutions ($250,000 dollars invested in 2020), Poralu Marine proved itself as the leader in designing the eco-innovative marinas of tomorrow.

Quote from RGYC General Manager Phil Clohesy:

"The Royal Geelong Yacht Club is delighted to deliver this iconic new feature to the Geelong waterfront and community. Wangim Walk functions as a floating breakwater to protect the harbour and allow for RGYC to operate floating docks safely and successfully. Well-protected marinas are the most sought-after marina facilities for all boaters, so this is great news for the waterfront. We look forward to Wangim Walk bringing pleasure to all those who live in the city and region and those who come to visit our beautiful bay and waterfront."

For more information visit www.poralu.com.