Facts on Australia's newest world-class boating destination

This year shapes as a big one at The Waterfront, Shell Cove.

Australia’s newest world-class boating destination, Shellharbour Marina, is well on its way to becoming an east coast landmark, and the synchronised completion of Shellharbour Marina, The Waterfront Tavern, Harbourside Dining Precinct, public boat ramp and carpark, Foreshore Promenade and boardwalks are all forecast to be complete and ready for the community to enjoy by September 2021 at the latest, weather permitting.

We understand there may be questions from the community that come with creating a world-class marina and new boating destination, so we have put together this page to outline the facts as we lead into The Waterfront, Shell Cove coming to life in 2021.

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out direct on 13 38 38 or via www.thewaterfrontshellcove.com.au

Harbour Flooding

• The boat harbour structural work completed in December 2020 where the pumps to dewater the harbour were turned off permanently. This milestone marked the commencement of the harbour flooding phase.
• As at mid-January 2021, the harbour is filled to the mean tide mark which has enabled the pontoons to commence installation.
• The harbour water body is now being stabilised. This process includes allowing some ingress of sea water to flocculate the stormwater. Once the water body is considered stable, the six-week transitional monitoring period will commence.
• It is a requirement of the six-week monitoring phase that the water body meets all the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) water quality requirements consistently for the whole duration. If there are any anomalies, the six-week period will recommence.
• Once the EPA is satisfied that the water quality is stable and suitable to merge with ocean water, the process to remove the sand bund at the channel entrance begins. This is currently forecast for April 2021 and will take approximately eight weeks.
• Once the sand plug is removed, the harbour has a full ocean connection and becomes a tidal estuary.
• The harbour will not be accessible to the public at this time, as construction activity will continue until the middle of the year – particularly the pontoons, and harbour foreshore areas.

Marina Facilities

• The Waterfront, Shell Cove will have capacity for 270 berths on completion.
• Stage 1 includes 145 berths with the additional 125 berths to be constructed as demand dictates. Construction of Stage 1 is forecast for completion by end of June 2021, weather permitting.
• Berths will accommodate vessels ranging between 12 and 30m in length.
• Outer harbour facilities, including fuel and sewer pump out, are forecast for construction in mid 2021 however are not expected to open until the boat maintenance facility is complete as it is still subject to DA approval with the boat maintenance facility staged construction forecast to commence in 2022.
• The marina services building will commence construction in March 2021 and is forecast for completion in late 2021.
• The leasing strategy for the marina berths will be managed by the soon to be appointed Marina Manager. Interested parties can register their details at www.shellharbourmarina.com
• Council is currently conducting negotiations with potential Marina Managers and anticipate an outcome to these negotiations in the near future.
• The boat maintenance and boat lift out facilities will also be implemented with a development application expected to be lodged in 2021.

Tavern, Dining and Hotel