Marine Industry Identity Behind Coast’s New Marina

Imagine having your boat ready in the water with the aid of a forklift, instead of reversing the trailer in front of a crowd and a line-up of others.

Les Binkin has used his 15 years' marine industry experience in designing a convenient marina at the Sunshine Coast - his first in Queensland.

Construction will start early next year on the "state of the art" project at the $20 million Pelican Waters marine village.

To cater for the growing demand for mooring facilities it will offer 160 dry berths for boats up to 10 metres long and 125 wet berths for vessels up to 13 metres.

Mr Binkin, who owns marinas in Newcastle and New South Wales' Central Coast, said by December 2021 the area would be a hub for Caloundra and Pumicestone Passage boaties.

A concierge-style service will be offered where residents with boats in dry berths can call an hour ahead for their boat to be placed in the water by a forklift.

"An eight-metre boat isn't too big, but once that's on a trailer and you're reversing it down a boat ramp … I'm sure that's caused a few divorces," Mr Binkin said.

He said this would help residents store their boats too if they didn't have room at home.

There will also be a full-service marina yard offering maintenance, detailing and repairs, as well as a shipwright, clients lounge and a cafe.

Mr Binkin said the health pandemic caused delays to the original construction start date of late 2020.

"It was tough because everyone was a bit unsure ... the project was held back because of that," he said.

It is the fourth generation marine engineer's first time designing a marina in Queensland, after designing four in New South Wales.

It will offer Caloundra's only on-water refuelling facilities as well as a waste pump-out station.

The precinct gained council approval in July and is the first of its kind in decades for Southern Queensland.

It is being delivered as a joint venture between Mr Binkin and Pelican Waters Heart. Work will start on other parts of the precinct in late 2021 or early 2022.

The broader precinct will feature a waterfront village with a mix of dining, retail and commercial opportunities.

It will be adjacent to the $200 million masterplanned community, The Cove.

The Henzell family, who established Pelican Waters in the 1980s, is developing The Cove over four stages.

"Construction of the marina is perfectly timed to align with our plans for The Cove where construction will start early next year," Henzell Property Group managing director McLean Henzell said.

The marina will be built by The Jetty Specialist and QTM Enterprises.

For further information on The Cove or to register your interest visit https://www.thecove.com.au/.