Following a lengthy assessment, Rivergate has finally been granted an approval to go ahead with plans to expand its existing marina and shipyard in Murarrie.
Read: Rivergate Marina Proposes to Establish a Large Superyacht Refit Hub in Murarrie
Tom Hill, director at Rivergate, welcomed the approval, which he said recognised the project’s potential to support a range of industries within Queensland and bolster Australia’s sovereign capability amid increasing global security tensions.
“This approval means our expansion is now shovel ready and just waiting on government funding support to get under way,” he said in a media release.
Rivergate’s $200 million superyacht facility would be the largest superyacht hub in the Asia Pacific once complete.
It will come with a new hub that would be capable of lifting vessels up to 3,000 tonne and the capacity for 8 to 12 vessels in refit sheds and on the hardstand.
The project, which has been in the pipeline for four years, is expected to “dramatically increase superyacht visitation to Australia while also providing vital new capability to service Australian Defence Force and Australian Border Force vessels.”
One of the highlights of the expansion is the new 5-storey purpose-built facility featuring training rooms, offices, café, world-class crew accommodation and crew recreation facilities.
At present, Rivergate is just waiting on government funding support to get under way.
“Brisbane is already an ideal location for servicing and repairing superyachts, several classes of Defence vessels and other commercial shipping,” Mr Hill said.
Mr Hill added that the expansion would provide owners and captains of large recreational vessels with the assurance that world-class facilities are available for both routine and unplanned maintenance works whilst they are cruising in the region.
The development is expected to generate up to $1 billion in revenue for the Queensland economy every year and roughly 2,000 jobs for marine and tourism sectors upon completion.
