Position Statement
St Kilda Marina Redevelopment
DATE
December 2020
OUTLINE
St Kilda Marina is an iconic marina and boating facility in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia.
The marina sits on crown land and its Committee of Management is City of Port Phillip (CoPP).
The marina is of great importance and significance to the boating industry and boating in general.
City of Port Phillip over the past two to three years has undertaken an extensive process toward the sites new lease and redevelopment.
In late July 2020 CoPP advised that a new lease would be issued to Australian Marina Development Corporation (AMDC), for a 35 plus 15 year period, and at a 50 year value/investment of $160m. This has been communicated to the community, with an open briefing provided.
In December 2020 the state government approved the new lease as outlined above, with it to commence in May 2022.
City of Port Phillip St Kilda Marine Project information - CLICK HERE
BIAV POSITION
BIAV recognises the need and benefits of a new lease and redevelopment of this iconic and important site.
BIAV also supports the process undertaken to date and the extensive consultation.
BIAV also supports the majority of what is proposed and the redevelopment plans in principle.
However there are some concerns, as follows –
There is planned to be a halving of the wet berths from the current number. Whilst revised Aus Standards, and the resulting space requirements have been outlined as the reason for this, BIAV remains unsure as to whether enough has been done to expand the wet-berth space and provide more opportunity.
All outdoor hardstand space appears to have been removed. This is a major step backward in terms of a boating specific facility. This seems to have been the result of the desire to have an expansive open space and walk path on the beach side of the entire site. St Kilda and the remaining CoPP coastline has many thousands of square metres of such space. This space could and should be preserved for boating facilities, storage and water access as the number one priority. Not a walk path. We understand that this will eliminate some current users such as the Melbourne Trailable Yacht Club after decades of occupation.
Reference has been made to the car/trailer park being adjusted to cater for multi-use and basketball was outlined as a good example. This really does not auger well for boating and for this site being preserved as a premier boating facility and destination. Whether this be proposed at this stage only for boating ‘down-time’ is still unacceptable as once an activity such as basketball sets in, chances are it will increase its demands and usage to the detriment of boating.
Whilst the bridge concept is not yet finalised and only provisions for CoPP to include it later have been advised, this is also of concern. Similar to the loss of outdoor hardstand space, in favour of an elaborate walk path, this could be severely to the detriment of boating. Mast up yachts and motor boats with tall fly-bridges may become precluded from the site.
SUMMARY
BIAV supports the new lease and redevelopment however is concerned by the above points. There seems to be an over-emphasis on the walk-path and amenity of the coastline, in favour of the overall boating facility aspect of the site.
These formed BIAV’s submission to CoPP with regard to the new lease and redevelopment and this feedback was provided to the local member, the Boating Minister, and was relayed to CoPP Council in an open session of council by the BIAV CEO.