Marina puts boardwalk beers on near horizon

The Batavia Coast Marina could become one of Geraldton’s most vibrant precincts, under new plans to build a tavern, piazza and museum square.

The changes would tie in with the Batavia Marina Apartments and WA Museum to form a marina precinct that would be a destination for residents and visitors alike.

WA Museum Geraldton manager Catherine Belcher said marina stakeholders were taking a “holistic” approach to rejuvenate the area.

“The marina has the potential to be a great community destination and a fantastic tourist destination,” she said.

“There’s been lots of conversations going on with all the people who are on the marina, to try to make that happen.”

Concepts for a redesign on Museum Place are on the cards, which may include a new jetty and a tree-lined square with a grassed community space.

Kariliya Property Group director Brett Jackson confirmed Skeetas Cafe was moving into the precinct and a tavern licence had been issued to another party.

“The whole rationale behind it is to make the marina a destination, so you can come down Museum Place and Forrest St and there’s something to do there,” he said.

“As soon as we finish our development we’re moving on to the tavern, so we’re just all go.

“The tavern is not trying to compete with Lat28 or Breakers, it’s where you’ll go and get pizzas and fish and chips and have a drink.

Mr Jackson said the tavern would be in a similar style to Little Creatures Brewery in Fremantle.

The precinct would feature a timber boardwalk by the marina, with outdoor dining options.

Cedar Woods WA State manager Stuart Duplock said the Batavia Marina Apartments would add to the vibrancy of the precinct.

“I think the completion of our apartments will bring some 100 new residents into the area, so that can only add to the on-going vibrancy,” he said.

“We would see the addition of Skeetas to the mix at ground level as creating a new focal hub for the Batavia Marina precinct.”