11 major commercial and industrial lots have changed hands at Queensland’s first and only fully integrated super yacht marina shipyard destination, the $150 million Rivergate marine and industrial precinct.

The individual allotments feature in the 8 hectare, non-riverfront portion of the 15.2 hectare site approved for subdivision by the Brisbane City Council in February 2004.

In deals transacted by agents CB Richard Ellis, Jones Lang Lasalle and Wright Property Group, 11 sites have been snapped up achieving between $175 and $235 per sq m.

Major purchases have included nearly 23,000 sq m by Companies associated with Michael Ferarro of National Developers Australia; over 10,000 sq m by Pacific Charter Corporation; and almost 10,000 by companies associated with John Briggs of Briggs Marine.

Pacific Charter has since gained approval for 25 strata-titled units on their allotment.

In keeping with the objective of creating a major marine industry hub, Marine Diesel Traders, has moved into a recently completed new Factory and office complex on a site of 5,000 sq m purchased and developed by Applewood Pty Ltd.

A further four factory units are also in the final stages of construction on two sites purchased by companies associated with Peter Moran measuring 4991 sq m and 5161 sq m respectively. Three of these are for occupation by Stainless Tanks Australia, Ocean Cats and Good Line Trimming with one more to be leased.

The balance of the lots have been purchased by James and Ian Barr (4,453 sq m); a company associated with Walter Sommer (2,517 sq m and 2,598 sq m); and by Earlee Products (5,403 sq m).

A factory housing SSS Australia has been completed on the Barr property.



Development Approval has been obtained for factory unit development on the two Walter Sommer parcels and Earlee Products are developing a food processing facility on their land.

Murarrie Developments Pty Ltd, a company associated with Adco Constructions Directors Mr Bob Hill and Ms Judy Brinsmead and Central Properties Corporations’ Mr Stephen Gosling, is undertaking Rivergate.

Mr Gosling said that the successful sale of the lots in deals totalling over $13 million proved that Rivergate was meeting the large demand for appropriately zoned land for both general industry and the marine industry in Brisbane.

“With Bulimba’s rise as a residential precinct, marine businesses have had to look elsewhere for well-positioned land on the river, close to the airport, port and transport routes.

“It’s one of those future industries that is set to place Brisbane on the world map, so the State Government and Brisbane City Council are to be congratulated on their facilitation of the project.

“As completion of the hardstand and marina berths draws near, we are expecting even stronger demand for the further facilities being developed , he said.

Mr Damon Falcongreen of Jones Lang Lasalle sold part the Rivergate industrial parcel.

He said that in addition to the obvious benefits of being adjacent to the marine development, the industrial land at Rivergate has additional locational attributes rarely seen in the Brisbane market.

“The site is immediately adjacent to the Gateway Bridge, giving easy and direct access to the major North – South Motorway and the Port Motorway, the air and seaports are only a 10 minute drive away.

“The site will remain one of the most valuable industrial land parcels in Brisbane, and  will be further enhanced by the duplication of the Gateway Bridge which should be complete in 2011,” he said.

Rivergate is located adjacent to the Gateway Bridge at the Rivergate Marine and Industry Park, 15 minutes from the CBD, 10 minutes from Brisbane Airport and six nautical miles from Moreton Bay.

The facility will finally place Brisbane on the international super yacht radar, generating millions in local economic activity annually, driving the growth of ancillary industries in Brisbane and providing an exciting new local destination.

Rivergate is now quickly taking shape and is set to open its first marina facilities this January.

Aimed at the national and international cruising yacht market, Rivergate will become Australia’s leading world-class marina and shipyard facility, providing all yachts from anywhere in the world with the ultimate one-stop-shop.

Rivergate will ultimately comprise:

• deep water marina berths for 12 metre yachts through to 60 metre international super yachts;
• hardstand and strata-titled refit complex;
• service berths for yachts up to 70 metres;
• high speed refuelling and pump out facilities;
• Queensland’s largest dry boat storage;
• “dry” marina berth for larger boats;
• yacht sales showrooms and repairers and much more.

The local boating and broader community will enjoy cafes, restaurants and a ritzy riverfront boardwalk reminiscent of the French Riviera.

Rivergate is being constructed on 15.24 hectare site purchased from the State Government in June 2004.

The disused and degraded riverfront site was a former abattoir and the site of the James Holt cross River Ferry.

Civil works began in September 2004 with marina approval secured in December 2004 on a seabed lease encompassing 4.16 hectares of the Brisbane River.