New 200 Berth Marina for Urangan
The Deputy Premier has just announced that 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 Deputy Premier and the local member for Hervey Bay with the plans for the new marina.
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 park 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.