First step toward marina

SHELL Coves developers, Australand and Shellharbour City Council, have this week called for Tenders for the excavation of the old rubbish tip on Bass Point in preparation for the construction of the boat harbour, the centrepiece of the massive Shell Cove project.

Announcing the Tender on Monday, May 13, Mayor of Shellharbour City Cr David Hamilton said that the work would signal the physical start of the harbour component of the $1.5 billion tourist and residential development.

2006 is the year we have all been waiting for, where people will be able to see the plans turn into reality, Mr. Hamilton said.

The project has enormous significance for Shellharbour City and will create long term economic benefits for the entire Illawarra region in terms of sustainable employment opportunities and tourism.

The tender involves the removal of material from the site and sealing it within a modern landfill pit which is to be constructed in the southern part of the project adjacent to the quarry. Eventually, playing fields will be built on top of the sealed landfill creating a significant asset for local residents.

The boat harbour and marina for more than 300 boats will also include a major hotel and a tourist and commercial precinct.

The excavation work is expected to commence in September of this year and take approximately six months to complete.

Construction of the rock breakwaters is expected to start in the latter part of 2007, with the finished marina scheduled to open in late 2011.