Austral Monsoon responded to a tender from the Department of Lands for the Careel Bay Marina site in October 2001. Austral Monsoon’s submission included a proposed upgrade of the site to provide a world best practice boating service and maintenance facility and the development of a floating berth marina for boat storage in the waterway immediately adjacent to the site.
Austral Monsoon’s tender was successful and a 25 year lease was signed with the Department of Lands commencing 31 October 2003.
Careel Bay Marina has been in business for over 40 years providing boat moorings, boating repair and maintenance services. It provides a tender service and boating and recreational supplies including fuel, gas, bait, chandlery, drinks and ice. Amenities including toilets, showers and garbage disposal are provided for the boating and general public.
However, the existing site facilities reflect their age. The infrastructure reflects the industry, boat handling technology and environmental concerns of the time it was built in 1963.
Times have changed and the facility does not meet strict regulatory requirements for occupational health and safety or environmental protection that have been created since the marinas establishment.
The buildings are in poor condition, there is water inundation in king high tides, there are no areas for tradesmen to operate in inclement weather and parking is inadequate and a burden on local residents.
In short the facilities need to be upgraded and provide an improved outcome for the boating community, the environment, site workers, contractors, visitors and local residents.
Following a long process of consultation with residents, community groups, Government agencies and Pittwater Council a Development Application was lodged with the Department of Planning on 10 June 2005 being Development Application No 1004/6/2005.
The Development Application was subsequently refused by the Minister for Planning on 14 February 2006.
After careful review of the Minister’s decision and the concern outlined therein Land and Environment Court of NSW proceedings No. 170076 of 2007 were commenced by Austral Monsoon Industries on 2 February 2007 appealing against the Minister’s decision to refuse the Development Application.
Austral Monsoon Industries has obtained the leave of the Court on 4 May 2007 to rely on amended plans and other changes to the development application. A range of further reports by specialist consultants have also been undertaken as part of the preparation of the amended development application.
The purpose of the amended plans and consultant’s reports was to address the environmental impacts of the amended scheme and to specifically address the Minister’s reasons for refusal.
This website provide access to the “Amended Plans & Other Documents” that have been submitted to the Land and Environment Court and that are to be displayed on public exhibition. The site also provides access to the “Environmental Impact Statement” that was prepared supporting the original development proposal.
We believe that the modified proposal successfully addresses the reasons for the Minister’s refusal of the Development Application and overall the development provides substantial benefits in comparison to the existing facility including:
Improvements to water quality and aquatic ecology due to a reduction in pollutions sources from boat maintenance and servicing activities at the site
It will provide a workplace that meets occupational health and safety requirements
Provision of sewerage and oily bilge pump out facilities in the northern section of the Pittwater waterway
The relinquishment, reallocation and relocation of swing moorings in Careel Bay will provide less congestion from swing moorings in Careel Bay and an improved navigation channel to the Careel Bay public wharf.
The removal of commercial and private swing moorings from seagrass beds to the north and east of the marina
Remediation of damage to seagrass caused by the 5 commercial and 20 private swing moorings to the north and east of the marina
Improved land / water interface enabling improved public access including disabled access for the local community to enjoy the foreshore and waterway of Careel Bay
The remediation of the contaminated sediments located under the footprint of the proposed hardstand to address historical contamination of the Careel Bay Marina site.
The removal of an abandoned underground storage tank in the south-west corner of the site and associated pipework
On-site car parking is to increase from the existing 11 spaces to 34 permanent spaces which will cater for the peak weekday and weekend parking demands and thereby improve on street parking for residents and visitors
Screen landscaping along the George Street site frontage to improve visual impact.
