Green light for marina development

Pictures: Courtesy of Betts+Partners

Plans for a new multi-million dollar residential and hotel development at Newport Marina have cleared the final hurdle.

Moreton Bay City Councillors unanimously approved the development application during a General Meeting this week.

Construction will start later this year on the four-storey waterfront precinct, which will have 17 three-bedroom dwellings.

The development, over part of 158 Griffith Rd, will also feature a restaurant, office, pool, 35 resident and 14 visitor parking spaces.

Marina functions, including an “amenities block with associated services” and access to existing moorings, will remain over the balance of the block.

However, marina parking will be reduced from 216 to 125 bays – which Council says is still “ample space”.

Josh Kindred, CEO/owner of Kindred Group which owns Newport Marina, was “thrilled with the outcome after eight years hard work”.

“Great development is about creating a lasting impact for people today and for generations to come, which this approval can now deliver,” he said.

"We’ve always said this is a landmark site within the City of Moreton Bay - and that meant we had to get it right.

“With our vision now fully approved, we’re proud to deliver a precinct with high-end residential, short-term accommodation and a premium hotel.

More pictures - click through

“The apartment homes will begin construction later this year and set a new benchmark for quality living on the peninsula.”

Councillors backed the development after concerns – principally over the narrow driveway entrance – had been answered by officers.

Plans now include “greater separation between vehicles and pedestrians”, a footpath setback from the road and changes to road line markings.

Cr Sandra Ruck (Div 5) welcomed residential use of the site and was “really happy with changes made to the private driveway”.

She also noted “residents’ strong support for the development” during public consultation when 18 of 29 properly-made submissions backed the plans.

Cr Ruck said submissions cited “reasons such as high-quality, hi-tech design, close location to facilities including a restaurant”.

The approval comes 16 months after Newport Action Group (NAG) ended its six-year battle against development at the marina.

NAG had said Newport is a “boating-centric community” and the marina should retain its marine industry zoning, which minimized impact on nearby residents.