Rivergate, a new home for Southern boaties

by Sarah Hellewell on 10 Apr 2006 The new $150 million Rivergate’s Marina & Shipyard is set to become the marina of choice for interstate boaties heading to Queensland.

Former Sydney marina manager, and new Rivergate general manager, Mr Matthew Bate said that Rivergate was the new logical destination for cruising yachts out of Sydney and Melbourne.

' Brisbane has probably never been on the radar due to a lack of facilities, that’s all in the past now.

' We hope Rivergate will now dispel perceptions that have meant the City being given a wide berth.

' So whether it’s game fishermen heading to the Cairns fishground, or leisure users cruising to the Whitsunday’s, Brisbane is now the natural hub,' he said.

Rivergate has opened for business on the Brisbane River to a rapturous response from boaties and marine businesses alike.

The long awaited answer to a dire lack of facilities in the river city, Rivergate’s marina, 75 tonne travel lift and 12,000 sq m hardstand, are already a hive of activity, with Matt Bate and Peter Ryan heading the management team.

The venture’s Refit Complex, home to the cream of Australia’s marine industry operators, will also open next month together with two highbay Refit Sheds and six covered work sheds.

To date, 40 of Rivergate’s 104 deep waters berths have been sold to private individuals and commercial entities, many of which have taken up Refit Complex, land or tenancy opportunities.

A further five berths are available for sale on a 25 year lease basis.

The remaining 58 marina berths will be offered for rental to a variety of commercial and private users including super yacht owners and boat dealers. Approximately 25% of these rentals will be available to the general cruising public.

A further visitors’ berth, an elongated mooring that can cater up to 10 yachts at a time, will also be made available.

The opening of Rivergate has also been a boon for the neglected boat owners of Brisbane, with high speed refuelling and pump out facilities available once again on the river after a break of many years.

And coming soon are the centre’s 300 tonne travel lift; service berths for yachts up to 60 metres; Queensland’s largest ever dry boat storage with 300 berths; and a myriad of yacht sales showrooms and repairers.

For the creators of Rivergate, the objective of establishing a marine industry hub is being quickly realised.

Major buyers in the Refit Complex include Mustang Marine; Lex Baddiley Marine Engineers; Seamech Solutions; Sea Power Marine; Darren Berry International Marine; and Wright Interiors Pty Ltd.

They join other leading marine industry players that have purchased 14 major commercial and industrial lots at Rivergate or have leased major tenancies.

These include, Briggs Marine, Marine Diesel Traders, Stainless Tanks Australia, Ocean Cats and Good Line Trimming.

Marina berths have been purchased by leading retail and commercial operations including Viking Yachts, Princess Yachts and Benetaeu Yachts.

The project has further announced the inclusion of the 'river city’s' newest experience - a cosmopolitan boardwalk destination on the riverfront at Rivergate.

The 200 metre plus 'James Holt Ferry Walk' is set to become a mecca for local and visiting 'boaties' with plans for riverside restaurants, cafés, and a hotel and tavern all part of Rivergate’s unique master plan.

Rivergate is being constructed on 15.24-hectare site purchased from the State Government in June 2004.

It is located adjacent to the Gateway Bridge at the Rivergate Marine and Industry Park, 15 minutes from the CBD, 10 minutes from Brisbane Airport and six nautical miles from Moreton Bay.

Murarrie Developments Pty Ltd, a company associated with ADCO Constructions Directors Mr Bob Hill and Ms Judy Brinsmead and Central Properties Corporations’ Mr Stephen Gosling, is undertaking Rivergate.


From James Kyle: www.qldyachting.org.au