Trinity Point Marina: Environmental concerns raised as submissions close for stage 2 of development

A lack of a public ‘hotline’, community consultation and environmental concerns about a ‘workable harbour’ have been raised as submissions close for the Trinity Point Marina upgrade.

Public submissions for stage two of the Trinity Point Marina expansion closed on Thursday with concerns raised about proposal’s potential environmental impact and lack of meaningful community consultation.

Johnson Property Group lodged a development application to double the existing marina from 94 to 188 berths by constructing two new `arms’, extending the floating break wall and including a floating marina office, upgrading the fuel and wastewater pump out jetty and retrofitting the temporary land-based marina office into five ensuites.

Stage 1 of the marina has been operating since 2019 with stage 2 to see it double in size. Picture: supplied

The marina upgrade is part of a larger state significant development which was granted concept approval in 2009 for a 188-berth marina and helipad, 315 accommodation units, restaurant, function centre, shops, offices and foreshore upgrade.

Stage one of Trinity Point Marina, at Morisset Park on the shores of Lake Macquarie, was approved by the Hunter and Central Coast Planning Panel in 2015 and it has been operating since April 2019.

The marina expansion is being pursued separately, but in lock-step, with a $720 million land-based redevelopment at Trinity Point for a 220 suite luxury hotel, resort pool, restaurant and conference centre.

Artist's impression of the Trinity Point hotel development in Lake Macquarie. Picture: supplied

The development is said to be the largest in NSW outside Sydney and would create 400 jobs during construction and 200 ongoing jobs.

Johnson Property Group has already invested a reported $150 million into building an associated Trinity Point housing estate, stage one of the marina and a popular restaurant, 8 @ Trinity, which under the master plan would be incorporated into the luxury hotel.

Johnson Property Group CEO Keith Johnson was quoted in September as saying the development would do for Lake Macquarie what the Opera House did for Sydney, with Koichi Takada Architects brought on board to design the hotel.

Artist's impression of the Trinity Point luxury hotel and restaurant development in Lake Macquarie. Picture: supplied

“The design speaks to the surrounding natural environment, featuring six soft hill-shaped buildings with green roofs, open green space and the inclusion of a walking track to encourage residents, visitors and the community to enjoy the precinct,” he said in a statement.

However not everyone is thrilled about the marina expansion with fears over effluent and other pollutants ending up in the waterway.

Several submissions state when the marina was first approved there were conditions that a community `hotline’ be made available for residents to report environmental spills and that ongoing water quality testing be conducted throughout Bardens Bay, the Un-named Lake and Petite Lake.

“To date I have not seen any hotline number provided where these complaints could be made,” Marie Jones states in her submission.

Artist's impression of the expanded Trinity Point Marina with the luxury `rolling hills’ hotel development behind it at Lake Macquarie. Picture: supplied

A number of submissions also took issue with marketing material issued by the marina, which describes it as a `workable harbour’.

“Boats requiring maintenance such as motor rebuilds, oil changes, refrigeration refits, painting and hull cleaning have been accommodated by Trinity Point Marina and this must stop as all require disposal of solid and liquid waste into the waters at Bardens Bay and must be prevented,” Keith White states in his submission.

Tom Dumbrell on behalf of the Morisset Park and District Action Group submitted the community consultation done as part of the application was “disingenuous”.

The plans for Stage 2 of Trinity Point Marina with the new parts to be built in pink with the existing marina in yellow. Picture: supplied

He said the feedback sought was from existing clients of the marina and only asked local residents about the proposed luxury hotel instead of stage two of the marina.

However several submissions expressed their support for the proposal stating it had put the area “on the map” as a tourism destination for boat owners from Sydney, Newcastle and Port Stephens.

The marina upgrade remains before Lake Macquarie Council for determination.