Miners dig rare opportunity to secure freehold berths

by Sheree De Bono on 5 Sep 2012 Miners wanting to match workdays out west with days off on the water are leading a new wave of interest in marina berths at Consolidated Properties' Hope Island Marina.

With the supply of freehold marina berths along Australia's east coast continuing to dwindle - and boat ownership on the increase - they are also lining up the berths as a prime investment.

Engineering consultant David Geerlings, who has spent the past 15 years travelling the Australian coastline with wife Karen to contract for major mining and engineering companies in Perth, Darwin, Mackay and Townsville, is one of the latest buyers at Hope Island Marina.

Mr Geerlings, who is currently based in Townsville, has bought an 18 metre berth for his 58 foot boat and intends on making it his permanent home when he retires to the Gold Coast in the next five years.

'We love the lifestyle on the Gold Coast. It is a true boaties paradise, with plenty of protected waterways, plus miles of open ocean and great fishing spots at the doorstep,' he said.

'At the same time, we believe the marina berth will be a great investment, with the availability of freehold berths few and far between, particularly in this part of the world.'

Mr Geerlings said the berth was a great investment for his future.

More than 80 per cent of Hope Island Marina has already been secured, with the final stage of freehold berths - available in the 14 metre, 16 metre and 18 metre configurations - now available for sale or rent.

Consolidated Properties project partner Lachlan Grantley said there was increasing interest from miners in the final berths, as more opted to fly-in and fly-out of key mining locations.

'When it comes to their downtime, they want to be in a location that offers plenty in terms of lifestyle and the Gold Coast delivers that,' he said.

'It remains one of, if not the, favourite holiday playground in Australia, with some 200 kilometres of pristine waterways, beaches, theme parks, golf courses and a range of other entertainment options.

'Hope Island Marina itself provides quick deep water access to the Broadwater, the gateway to the region's best boating destinations, and resort facilities on-site, making it an appealing choice.'

Mr Grantley said many miners were also savvy investors and were looking at the limited supply of new marina berths as an opportunity.

Recent research by Place Advisory found one in every 19 Queenslanders now owned a boat.

'However, despite an increase in ownership, council restrictions across South East Queensland on the development of new marinas will severely restrict supply in future,' he said.

Mr Grantley said the final marina berths at Hope Island Resort offered exceptional value, with some discounted by up to 30 per cent, or $110,000, on the original listing price.

For more information or for a tour of Hope Island Marina, please visit or contact Keith or Ian on (07) 5632 0427 or E-Mail info(at)hopeislandmarina.com.au