9:02 PM Mon 22 Dec 2008 GMT
Marina Mirage has long been synonymous with 5-star boating. It's considered a world-class destination for luxury yachts and cruisers in the heart of Queensland's Gold Coast and, known as Marina Oceanus, it's now offering a limited number of long-term berth leases and anticipating $50m of refurbished facilities.
As sales manager, Mark Ali explains: "Berths at Marina Mirage are only currently available on a month by month basis, however we are making available a very limited number of berths (only one in each size range from 15m to 30m) as a rare opportunity to secure long term berthing tenure over 12 years for a fixed, once only advance payment, thereby guaranteeing availability and protecting against future rental increases."
15 metre berths start at $270,000 + GST.
With a $50m refurbishment of the Restaurant and Boutique Marina Mirage Shopping Complex on the horizon, adjacent Versace Hotel and planned Sheraton Hotel luxury condo redevelopment creating even greater demand, these opportunities are heralded as "once in a lifetime".
"While occupancy at Marina Mirage is routinely managed at around 90% to allow for visiting Super Yachts and the seasonal migration of tenant owned boats passage-making along the East Coast, the ever increasing requirement and consequent short supply at this prime location will be under further pressure with the planned development," says Ali.
According to Ali, the release of new long-term leases has been greeted extremely positively. "Especially from existing long term tenants," he continues, "And we have not even started to market to the public."
Marina Oceanus is not only idyllically located on the Broadwater, it is iconic around the world and plays a central role in the look and feel of the precinct as a prestige destination.
"South-east Queensland boat owners (as well as the rest of East Coast Australia) acknowledge that from big boats to super yachts there is no better port of call," adds Ali.
Adding to the cachet of the marina are its people. Ian "Rooster" Mayan, Marina Manager has been there for almost 20 years and is responsible for the "personal service" that extends to boat owners the authentic feeling of the marina as "their second home".
Dredging, or lack of it, has not proven a barrier to visiting superyachts, as Ali attests, but it would certainly put boat owners' minds at rest for future investment and visits.
"Marina Oceanus has recently hosted a 52 metre schooner 'Tamsen' from the US and currently has a 55 metre superyacht 'La Masquarade' from Europe at berth. Without doubt the marinas' close proximity to the seaway is a great advantage and any dredging of the Broadwater approach would be an added benefit."
Ali acknowledges that the state government is advancing the cause via international marketing initiatives headed by people such as Peter McKulkin, "and certainly dredging of the Broadwater would be an enormous advantage to south-east Queensland".
As for the multi-million dollar overhaul of the marina and its surrounds, Ali says that it is likely "some time in the next 18 months with a build process in three stages taking about 6 to 9 months for completion".
"While the seabed lease increase could theoretically allow for up to 160 berths, the current plans would allow for about 100 large to very large berths catering to the burgeoning superyacht industry. The entire Marina will be extended on a brand new platform providing the most advanced marina facilities available."
As part of the Queensland government's aim to position the Gold Coast and Queensland as a viable global superyacht hub, Marina Oceanus will be pivotal in the scheme of things. "We already provide concierge services including provisioning, catering, laundry, limousine and car hire, helicopter services and most other personal requirements that any owner or crew needs. The redeveloped facility will provide all these plus more."
More at www.marinaoceanus.com.au
by Jeni Bone
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