on 3 May 2022
Expansion at Brisbane's Rivergate Marina and Shipyard will allow 60 additional superyachts to visit Australian waters each year
Brisbane’s Rivergate Marina and Shipyard has gained council approval for an A$200 million expansion.
Last week, Brisbane City Council approved Rivergate’s application for an expanded maintenance and refit hub based on the Brisbane River, which the developer says will be a catalyst for a ‘jobs and economic bonanza’ for Queensland’s marine and tourism industries.
The proposed expansion of the maritime precinct will make it possible for an estimated 60 additional superyachts to visit Australian waters each year, while also providing new capability to service Australian military and Border Force vessels.
Key elements of the expansion include an A$35 million state-of-the-art shiplift capable of lifting vessels of up to 3,000 tonnes and 90 metres, and new hardstand space, sheds and berthing to service multiple large vessels at the same time.
Crew accommodation room
Rivergate also plans to build a new 5-storey purpose-built facility featuring training rooms, offices, café, crew accommodation and crew recreation facilities.
On completion, the developer says the expansion should generate an estimated 2,000 new jobs for marine and tourism sectors, inject close to A$1 billion into the Queensland economy each year, and ensure the region’s maritime industry is ready for the 2032 Olympic Games.
Rivergate director Tom Hill welcomed the development 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.
Outdoor recreation area
“This approval means our expansion is now shovel ready and just waiting on government funding support to get underway,” he said.
“Brisbane is already an ideal location for servicing and repairing superyachts, several classes of Defence vessels and other commercial shipping. This 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 while they are cruising in our region.
“It will also fill a much-needed gap in Defence and commercial vessel maintenance on Australia’s east coast, eliminating the current necessity for some vessel classes to be serviced elsewhere in Australia such as Perth or Adelaide due to a lack of lifting capacity.”
Captain’s lounge and library
The Rivergate Marina and Shipyard was established in 2006. Rivergate is a customs clearance marina and offers deep water access on all tides, favourable weather for year-round operations, and easy access to capital city services, including the nearby Brisbane International Airport.