NEW 200-BERTH MARINA FOR URANGAN

Published Friday, 04 May, 2007 at 11:12 AM

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh

4 May 2007

Joint statement


Urangan Boat Harbour: Two major development companies have been short-listed to submit bids for the redevelopment of the Urangan Boat Harbour, Acting Premier Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh announced today.

Ms Bligh said Meridien Marinas and the Seymour/Watpac group would compete for the chance to redevelop the boat harbour, one of the most significant tourism developments on the Queensland coastline.

“This exciting development will provide a year-round tourist magnet for the entire Wide Bay region,” Ms Bligh said. “It will complement Hervey Bay’s world-famous whale watching industry and be the new gateway to the Great Sandy Straits.

”And it will generate hundreds of jobs during the two-year construction phase.”

Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said: “The development will bring great benefits to Hervey Bay and put Urangan on the map for international tourists.”

Binding bid documentation will be forwarded to the short-listed companies early next week. Construction could start as early as 2009 and be completed by 2011.

The Meridien Group has undertaken a range of residential subdivisions, apartments and retail developments. Between them, the Seymour/ Watpac consortium has undertaken the full range of residential, tourism, commercial and Government developments.

Ms Bligh said the redevelopment would include:

• An expansion of the harbour to the south of the breakwater to incorporate a 200-berth marina.
• A major upgrade of Miller St to create a boulevard entrance to Urangan Boat Harbour.
• A tourism development opportunity utilising existing car par and caravan park lots.
• Significantly enhanced public car parking.
• Creation of a green corridor with walking/cycle tracks along Charlton Esplanade that will connect the harbour with the foreshores and Urangan pier.
• A boardwalk around the inner boat harbour, connecting the new development with existing facilities, including the Hervey Bay Boat Club, boat ramps and car trailer parks.

Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office, 3224 6900