Great Australian Bight boasts new marina in Albany

9:30 PM Fri 15 Jul 2011 GMT

'Albany Marina' .

Ambitious cruising sailors who want to attempt the difficult task of circumnavigating Australia will have a new safe place of rest in the Great Australian Bight with the opening of a new marina in Albany.

The very modern 74-slip marina in Albany is part of a new AUS$42m waterfront development, and it is the culmination of a thirty year old dream among the residents and would-be developers of the remote West Australian town.

Part of the original jetty system has been retained and this will be the arrival place for visiting yachts until a pen can be found. A service jetty is included for fuel and water and shower and laundry facilities are completed.

The chart datum will be about four metres so this should provide for all but the largest maxi yachts to enter the Marina.

The Marina lays right at the entrance to Albany's shopping precinct meaning easy access for stores, fine restaurants, clothing shops and pubs. The Marina location also boasts a wonderful Entertainment Centre.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell told NineMSN.com that the number of berths could be increased by 56 as demand by boaters increase.

'These state-of-the-art facilities and pens provide a protected, safe anchorage for the boating community and a base for Albany's important tourist boat operators,' said Buswell. The project also includes fueling facilities and a public launch ramp.

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls told NineMSN.com that the state government worked with local stakeholders to complete the project.

'This collaboration has produced a world-class result with the waterfront development now having the capacity to cater for commercial, retail and tourist investment,' Grylls said.

For more information about the marina, go to the Albany Waterfront Marina website , or the WA Government's website

by Nancy Knudsen

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Great Australian Bight boasts new marina in Albany

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