Mosman: Smiths and Ferguson’s Marinas releases expansion plan

Outdated facilities and rising boat ownership in Sydney has prompted one of the city’s oldest marinas to lodge a major expansion plan on the lower north shore.

The expansion would cater for rising boat ownership in Sydney.

• Backflip on Coles site plans after shopkeeper backlash
• Decision on Chatswood’s latest tower after developer’s legal bid

One of Sydney’s oldest marinas is set to make a splash under plans to expand its operations with new facilities and berths to address outdated structures and meet a sharp rise in boat ownership.

Two moorings, a slipway and the existing beach jetty next to the Middle Harbour Marine Rescue NSW base would be demolished under a proposal by Smiths and Ferguson’s Marinas to build six new marine berths and piles catering for boats measuring up to 30m long.

The 110-year-old marina, located next to The Spit bridge in Mosman, currently has facilities including a restaurant, shops, kayak hire, caretaker’s accommodation and 47 floating marina berths.

The development would extend further into Middle Harbour.

The application states the expansion would meet demand for boat storage and could accommodate boats including one 18m multihull vessel, two 20m vessels and two 30m vessels.

Plans added the expansion would also replace the “derelict wharf” with modern facilities and create jobs in “a currently struggling marine industry”.

“The removal of the mooring, slipway the jetty demonstrates the need to upgrade the site to provide facilities and services which are more in tune with the need and demand from the public,” the application stated.

The location of the new facilities

“The traditional slipway on the site is no longer compliant with modern practices and is proposed to be removed from the site to eliminate any future use.”

Figures included in the plans show boat ownership in Sydney is set to increase by 45 per cent by 2031, resulting in an additional 17,500 boats larger than 6m taking sail in the harbour over the next decade.

Plans stated changes to the Coastal Trading Act this year have also allowed easier entry of foreign vessels larger than 24m entering Australian waters – a move expected to “see a doubling of these boats requiring a place to berth”.

Smiths and Ferguson’s, in the application to Mosman Council, has included letters of support from Marine Rescue NSW and the Middle Harbour 16ft Skiff Club.

Outdated facilities at the site would be demolished.

In his letter, skiff club president Peter Tinworth said the project could have a “potential increase in economic activity for the club from higher use of the area” and create a “more modern facility”.

An ecological study stated direct impacts from construction could occur from piling into the sea floor and has recommended ongoing mitigation measures including engine silencers where possible to minimise noise impacts on marine fauna.

The proposed expansion comes after other boating facilities on the lower north shore recently lodged development applications to expand their operations in local waters.

The current proposals include a $5.8 million floating dry dock at Noakes in McMahons Point and a new $3 million floating pontoon at Pattons Slipway in Kirribilli.

The proposed expansion of Smiths and Ferguson’s is currently being assessed by Mosman Council.