St George Motor Boat Club in Sans Souci has unveiled its long-awaited development plans, ushering $15 million of upgrades to the historic south Sydney institution.
The comprehensive plans were recently approved by Planning NSW, and construction will begin in Q1 of 2025.
One of the first stages is an upgrade to Baybreeze Café, which will see updated facilities and a fresh new look. This will begin in conjunction with the upgraded car park, creating additional spaces by excavating under the current parking at the front.
The existing restaurant, the Sapphire Room, will become the new fine-dining Vista Restaurant, with capacity for 160 people. A 330sqm terrace is to be constructed in front of the space for outdoor seating, to make optimal use of views of the Georges River.
Projected to turn over $20 million in foodservice in 2025, the club says the move into fine dining is in response to community demand, with analysis of its demographic finding a market for such an offering.
The final state of the redevelopment will bring a new restaurant, expected to open in 2026.
Work kicks off with the new carpark and an expansion of the marina, adding another 84 berths to reportedly make it the second-largest in NSW, second only to Newport’s Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
A standout feature of the marina extension will be its state-of-the-art “T” head fuel berth, designed with fuel bowsers at both ends, so that two vehicles can refuel simultaneously. The expansion will include installation of fire hydrants on all new marina berths, and retrofitted to the entire existing marina. There will also be significant upgrades to water pressure and power infrastructure.
The last upgrade to the marina was in 2011, when 90 berths were added.
Boasting 60,000 members and an active local community, the club feels the additions will help secure its future in the event of changes in gaming legislation, although gaming revenue is reported to represent only 18 per cent of takings. The current marina contributes under 10 per cent of revenue, and it’s hoped that will increase with the new facilities.
Five years in the making, President Blyth says the plans are shaping up nicely and it’s full steam ahead.
“The new marina work is scheduled for completion by September 2025, and we already have an extensive waiting list eager to occupy the new berths.”
