Bowen Marina prices skyrocket as new owner Alder Developments takes over

There are fears promises of a multimillion-dollar renovation for a small Queensland marina would be funded in part by skyrocketing rents, as long time lessees face unprecedented increases. Read the company’s response.

One short term lessee at the Bowen marina said there were 'safety concerns' while the rent was among the highest she's seen in Queensland. Picture: Angela Willans

There are fears promises of a multimillion-dollar renovation for a small Whitsunday marina would be funded in part by skyrocketing rents, as long time lessees face unprecedented increases.

This comes as the Bowen marina has just changed hands, with its head lease purchased by development company Alder last month.

Alder had earlier announced a $1m planned investment to rejuvenate the marina, reportedly saying they hoped a renovation would increase tenant numbers, and take the marina to its full commercial potential.

But an alarm on skyrocketing prices was raised by a visiting WA couple who have come to the Whitsundays for a month aboard their boat Corazon.

When paying for her berth space, Angela Willans thought this was expensive when considering the current state of disrepair of the marina, which presents safety concerns with railings broken or no surveillance cameras in sight.

One short term lessee at the Bowen marina said there were 'safety concerns' while the rent was amon gthe highest she's seen in Queensland. Picture: Angela Willans

One short term lessee at the Bowen marina said there were 'safety concerns' while the rent was among the highest she's seen in Queensland. Picture: Angela Willans

One short term lessee at the Bowen marina said there were 'safety concerns' while the rent was among the highest she's seen in Queensland. Picture: Angela Willans

Ms Willans paid $1942 for a month’s rent, which would have cost her only $1174 if she had stayed at the Breakwater Marina in Townsville, for a boat about 13 meters long.

But the price change is particularly difficult to deal with for Bowen locals who have no other options.

Long time Bowen marina renter Col Young, who has used his boat ‘Distraction’ as a floating men’s shed for decades, used to pay $1100 a month for rent, but it’s now been pushed up to $1900 since June 18.

Owner of Bowen Beach View Motel Col Young said he had been using the marina forever 20 years and was never faced with such a price increase. Picture: Facebook

Distraction is a 15m long boat, but renting a berth space for a month would only cost him $1387 at the Breakwater marina in Townsville as an example.

An Alder spokeswoman said the company had decided on the increase as the marina rates had not been taking into account Consumer Price Index and inflation.

“We have extensively reviewed marina berth rates across Queensland and NSW,” the spokeswoman said.

“The rates were then benchmarked between the lower end of Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island.”

Distraction has been used a floating men's shed for decades in Bowen.

In an email received by Alder, Mr Cole was advised that he if he was “not happy” with the agreement and rates, he was “more than welcome” to move his vessel elsewhere.

“We are sitting at over 70 per cent full occupancy in just over a month of ownership, which is a combination of existing and new tenants,” the Alder spokeswoman said.

“It is a highly desirable location and there is a lot of enquiries coming in now from people who have visited before and there is a big customer base from that recurring visit short stay.”

When asked if the company feared increasing rates would draw customers away, Alder responded that marinas in North Queensland sit at around 80 per cent occupancy year-round.

“With boat ownership being as high as it’s ever been, there is a real demand for marina berths particularly in North QLD around the winter months.”

Originally published as Bowen Marina prices skyrocket as new owner Alder Developments takes over