$40m plan for Port Vincent marina includes floating houses, waterfront properties

Why buy a waterfront home when you can live ON the water? Floating homes are part of a $40m development in one of SA’s most popular marinas. See the plans.

Nine floating houses are proposed as part of the $40m Dockside development. Picture: Supplied

Luxury floating homes, a five-storey apartment building and waterfront townhouses will be built at the Port Vincent marina as part of a $40m plan by the Lillis Group.

The Dockside development is attracting interest from as far as overseas for its waterfront offerings and as the Yorke Peninsula beach lifestyle continues to grow in popularity.

Project director Peter Villis said the development would set a new benchmark for waterfront living, holidaying, investing or working remotely.

An artist impression of the floating home proposed as part of the Dockside development. Picture: Supplied

“The Port Vincent marina in my view is a real gem and I see it has the potential to become a tourism centre for the Yorke Peninsula,” Mr Villis said.

The project’s unique component is its floating cafe and nine floating three-storey, off-grid homes – which will still be connected to the marina’s sewage and services.

“It’s an aspect that has excited people,” Mr Willis said.

“It’s an exciting prospect for tourism and one of those little sparks or catalysts that will be good for the Port Vincent community.

“In Australia, there are houseboats, but it’s another thing to build a vessel to live on permanently in the sea and there aren’t a lot of quieter waters where it can happen.”

The homes, to be built from January, will have two or three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two balconies and a rooftop deck – and will cost around $850,000.

The floating cafe, right, alongside the planned floating homes in the $40m Dockside project planned for the Port Vincent marina. Picture: Dockside Port Vincent

The floating houses as part of the Dockside development. Picture: Supplied

The project’s first stage – eight townhouses, six of which are on the waterfront – are planning approved and will be released for sale on Saturday, ranging from $750,000 to mid-$900,000.

The waterfront properties are two and three storeys, ranging from three to four bedrooms, with waterfront alfresco areas, a balcony and access to a shared pontoon.

Mr Villis said the houses had garnered plenty of interest and support from the local community of 500 permanent residents.

“We had a sense the local community would be really interested in the development and, sure enough, there was interest in all aspects, some want to buy in, so that’s positive,” he said.

“We found people from Adelaide are really interested as it’s a great place to go and relax, but I was also surprised to find people overseas who have family and friends here.”

The project’s waterfront complex of 52 short-term and long-term apartments and commercial space, will include a swimming pool, gymnasium and rooftop events space.

It is being considered by the Yorke Peninsula Council for approval.

The cafe, left, forms part of the floating Dockside project. Picture: Dockside Port Vincent

Mr Villis said while tourism was a big driver for the development, new industries on the Yorke Peninsula and demand for accommodation had also contributed to the investment.

“The Rex Minerals copper mine, about 15-20 minutes away, will require new accommodation and facilities like these to support its operation and the Ceres wind farm,” he said.

“The other thing that has shifted for the Yorke Peninsula is the government has improved road infrastructure, so it’s around a two-hour easy drive to Port Vincent.”

The Lillis Group, founded by legendary bookmaker Terry Lillis, developed the 120-berth marina 20 years ago and kept part of it that allows for the floating houses.

The project team will be on-site at the marina on Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm, details: docksideportvincent.com