Marina Quays berths approved on Gold Coast

HOPE Island (QLD) developer John Fish cleared a major hurdle at Marina Quays with the city council approving marina berths for his $2.5 billion project after a crippling two-year wait. The move paves the way for Mr Fish to undertake a major marketing campaign for the development, construction of which has been stuck in low gear due to the council hold-up. It also firms up Mr Fish's plans to have the long-awaited Marina Quays town centre open for business as soon as 2012.

Mr Fish said he was 'over the moon' with the council's support for Marina Quays and he expected marketing for the first stage of 192 lots to begin early next month. Fish Developments has just completed 12 terrace homes in the first stage, six of which already have been sold. Construction also has finished on nine three-storey waterfront homes, valued at $900,000 each, which are set to hit the market this weekend.

"Our sales have been inhibited by the fact we haven't been able to offer the marina berths, until now," said Mr Fish. Fish Developments will bring about 4000 homes to the market over the life of the Marina Quays project, along with 292 marina berths.

"It's the most exciting concept in Australian real estate," said Mr Fish.
The developer hit a snag in early December when Westpac took control of 28 completed villas, owned by his main holding company Rothmont Projects. Westpac, owed $9.6 million on the properties, is said to have lost patience over a loan facility that expired in February. The original $43 million facility has been paid down below $9 million, and Mr Fish yesterday said he was working towards regaining control of the properties through a refinancing deal.

Last Friday's approval from the city council was the best news in more than two years for the developer who has weathered both personal and financial storms. His feelings were best summed up in a letter to the city's economic development director Darren Scott this week.

"I have been through the wringer in the last 18 months and my life has been turned upside down," wrote Mr Fish. "But certainly, in the last six months since you have been overseeing Marina Quays on council's behalf, we have made quantum movements forward in the right direction."

Mr Scott, who was handed the Marina Quays file six months ago, yesterday said the council always has been committed to progress at Hope Island.

"The council has been really keen to see a world-class community developed out there," he said.
He also backed Mr Fish's timetable on the proposed town centre, with approval likely to come through early next year. Mr Fish said civil works, including road upgrades, were nearing completion at Marina Quays and buyer interest was on the rise.

"People can see the whole community coming to bear," he said.

Mr Fish said the local catchment of 20,000 people made it essential to move quickly on the town centre.
"If it's ever going to work, it's now. We've got some serious construction to do," he said.

Mr Fish intends to finance the town centre through his latest venture, Fish Capital, which plans to initially raise $200 million through high net worth investors and self-managed super funds.
Source: Goldcoast.com.au

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The new E-book, the collaborative work of the Australian-based group Global Travel Writers together with several special interest writers, is a no-nonsense, hands-on guide that will also appeal to established travel writers wishing to increase their income and/or write for new media platforms.

The 12 highly experienced writers who contribute to the first edition of this E-book on travel writing and photography provide a practical approach to the craft that takes readers through the processes of digging out story ideas, using the services of national tourism offices to arrange writer familiarisation trips and to help in researching stories, pitching story ideas to editors, the ethics of travel writing, writing the exact type of features that editors require and much more.

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Clipper yachts arrive at Batavia Coast Marina, Geraldton

Team Finland has secured their third victory of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, crossing the finish line in Geraldton, Western Australia, at 1210 local time (0410 GMT). In what has been the closest race to date, Team Finland finished just 33 minutes ahead of Spirit of Australia, denying the Australian team the home port victory that they were so desperate to achieve. The yachts will be docked at Batavia Coast Marina, in between haulout for necessary maintenance.

Commenting on his third victory in four races, winning skipper, Eero Lehtinen, said, “It’s really nice to have finished first in this race since this is the last one for me as skipper of Team Finland. There was some very close racing with Spirit of Australia at the end and we knew they were pushing hard in order to win into their home port, which made us even more determined to take it away from them. Our victory has also been a bit of revenge as they beat us to the scoring gate.”

Eero, who will be will be handing over Team Finland to new skipper, Rob McInally, in Australia, was quick to praise the home team. “Spirit of Australia has been an absolutely solid team and I have been very impressed with their performance. If there is anyone threatening Team Finland’s position at the top of the overall leader board it’s the Australian team,” he added.

Stepping onto Australian soil for the first time in two years, Spirit of Australia’s skipper, Brendan Hall, said, “I’m a little disappointed that we weren’t able to catch Team Finland but elated with the reception we’ve received here, it’s absolutely amazing!

“My crew has worked really hard and we’ve done our best. We can stand proud knowing that we’ve got three scoring gate points and by finishing in second place we have equalled Team Finland’s point tally for this race. We’ve also achieved the goal we set for ourselves to be consistently on the podium, which is great.”

Crowds of supporters, friends and family lined the breakwater to see the finish and a strong wind, gusting 30 knots, kept the boats fully powered up right to the line.

The Southern Ocean leg, which started on 22 November from Cape Town, South Africa, has been a testing one for the novice crews, the 68-foot yachts surfing at speeds in excess of 20 knots down some serious ocean swell. The weather conditions have also been unpredictable, often catching the teams off guard as wind strengths suddenly increased to gale force without warning.

Emil Vartiainen, a 20-year-old student from Helsinki and round the world crew member on Team Finland, enjoyed his Southern Ocean experience, despite it not being quite what he was expecting. “The Southern Ocean this time wasn’t really what we had heard about,” he said. “The winds were quite variable but we had some good spells when some big low pressures kicked in with some fast downwind sailing.”

As the fleet left the Southern Ocean and headed north towards Geraldton an area of high pressure caused the boats to concertina with some of the yachts so close that they passed within one nautical mile of each other. The final day of racing saw the leading seven teams separated by fewer than forty miles.

Cape Breton Island finished in fourth place, followed by Qingdao, Edinburgh Inspiring Capital and, Uniquely Singapore. California was the final boat to cross the line today in eighth place. Cork, Ireland and Hull & Humber are still making good progress to Western Australia following their collision on the start line in Cape Town.

Once ashore the crews will spend the next few days cleaning their boats and carrying out essential maintenance. The fleet will be berthed at the Batavia Coast Marina, Geraldton, for the duration of the stopover and lifted at various points for their mid-race refits. Once all the work is complete the crews will have time off to enjoy Christmas and New Year in Australia. The race will restart on Sunday 3 January when the boats will race up the Western Australian coast to Singapore and then on to Qingdao in China.

Creeks and Harbours guide books updated

Richard Hawkins terrific series of three publications detailing the waterways of Victoria have been exstensively revised and updated. Creeks and Harbours of Port Phillip, Creeks and Harbours of Westernport and Creeks and Harbours of Gippsland Lakes and Eastern Gippsland are comprehensive waterways guides designed for use by boat owners drawing less than 3 metres. Contact the publisher Lawling Press direct for your copy.

Pumpkin Island eco retreat undergoes refurbishment

The newly-renovated Pumpkin Island Retreat Queensland is home to just eco-friendly five cottages, which each feature stunning beach and ocean views.

At just 6.1 hectares (450 metres in length and 150 metres at its widest point), the island offers a secluded and eco-friendly escape on the Great Barrier Reef. The five cottages are now wholly powered by wind and solar energy, making the retreat an advanced ecotourism operator with a strong commitment to its fragile reef environment. Guest activities include fishing, snorkelling and swimming in the island’s picturesque beaches and bays, which can be discovered aboard the retreat’s paddleboats or glass bottomed kayaks. A maximum of just 30 guests can stay on the island, with each individually-designed cottage featuring a fully-equipped modern kitchen and private deck with stunning views. Access to the retreat is via a 45 minute boat transfer from the Keppel Bay Marina near Rockhampton in Central Queensland.
 

Limited release of berths at Marina Oceanus at Marina Mirage

Following on from the $50 million development at the adjacent Marina Mirage waterfront shopping and dining precinct, the state of the art redevelopment of Marina Oceanus at Marina Mirage will reinforce the marinas' iconic status as the premier luxury motor and sailing yacht facility in Australia for over 20 years. Accommodating superyachts up to 65 metres, the attractions of the Gold Coast are right here.

Only 120 berths are planned in this exclusive redevelopment of the existing 80 berth marina, with only 10 berths released on a strictly limited 50 year term never before available.

Round Australia Rally & Races reaches 200 entrants

Just 5 months after the provisional Notice of Race was launched for this unique event that starts in 2011, over 200 entrants have lodged an application to enter.

The Around Australia Ocean Race and Rally allows vessels to start and finish at their home port around the vast Australian coastline, incorporating iconic sailing events such as the Sydney Hobart race, Hamilton Island Race Week and Fremantle Race Week.

Bareboating in the Whitsundays

Newly imported into Australia for Whitsunday Rent a Yacht's bareboat fleet, the Highland 35 is a trawler style catamaran perfectly suited for bareboating.

While not the prettiest boat on the water, the Highland 35, with her twin cat hulls is larger than your average 35 footer. With berths for six and a head taking up both hulls, the large central area doubles as living area and downstairs steering station. Though with a large flybridge, complete with enormous sunlounge, the lower steering station will rarely be used in the balmy climate of the Whitsundays.

Marinas and harbours in the region include Meridien Marinas Abel Point, Hamilton Island Marina and Shute Harbour where Whitsunday Rent a Yacht are based.

Runaway Bay Boat Show

Showcasing their newly upgraded marina with an inhouse Boat Show, Runaway Bay Marina welcome boaties to join them on their new docks over the weekend of 14 and 15 November 2009
Click Here for more information.

Fiji private island retreat

 

Wow! Just back from a site inspection of a recently opened, uber luxe private retreat in northern Fiji.

Five stars? If there was such a rating as a 7 star hotel, this superyacht havena would be a front runner. Simply astounding in the attention to detail. Stay tuned to read more about this island soon.