Joey

Property prices and selling rates are now nearing peak times. It's true that in 2009 prices took a fall just like they did everywhere else in Victoria but things are well and truely up now. Joey is right that during the 3 weeks between Christmas and the end of second week in January there is an influx of tourists and holiday makers and traffic along Marine Drive certainly increases. Same can be said on the Australia day weekend and Easter but really, that's about it. The reason they come here is to enjoy water recreation on our magnificent Dromana Bay For the remainder of the year, Safety Beach is really a sleepy hollow and a quiet and enjoyable place to live.

Joeys comments regarding the poorly built townhouses can be taken either way. For the most of it, they look good although I fully agree with him that some are questionable and you ask yuorself how much payola went under the counter at the council to allow some of these developments to go through. All up, the area is ripe for redevelopment and people who are cashed up are just taking advantage of that. There are some really nice properties being built along the Marina and Marine Drive and property in those areas always maintain high values.

Shops and restaurants will improve when the new Marina shopping precint is built and Joey didn't make mention of the great Marina, golf course and Atrium restaurant right here in Safety Beach.

I agree with LackMoon, Joey is obviusly an investor or his friend is and therfore is not looking at the "living qualities at all. Whatch this space in 3 to 4 years once the GFC has run its course. People will be kicking themselves for not getting in at the ground level before the list took off.

I have to agree 100 percent with you Joey. My wife and I took a trip to the peninsula a few weeks back, overall the area was beautiful, truly one of Victoria's finest destinations. Safety Beach however we found appalling, our car was broken into twice, we found a used syringe on the beach and the areas to choose from to eat out was either the BP Petrol Station or La Marina.
The area seemed very low lying, I think insurance companies might start viewing it as a flood risk.
I close business associate informed me that the Martha Cove Marina is in severe financial trouble and may never get off the ground.
The fact that they are selling house & land packages in there for just over $400,000 says to me they are getting desperate. Martha Cove is becoming a real flop, building in there has come to a complete halt.

Ren, cars get broken into every suburb. If you did your research, you would know that crime barely registers at Safety Beach and when it does, it's almost always perpetrated by an outsider. Everyone knows that to get a bite to eat, you go to the restaurants at Dromana, just a short 1 minute drive from the BP service station. In the near future, restaurants and cafe's will be built in the new Martha Cove Marina.

Regarding the Marina, the 450K house/land packages are reserved for areas outside the main Marina in normal lots, with no water frontage and no water views. This land release with its pricing was always in the Marina plan. The million $+ properties are all sold. Remember, this is a 15 year project, just 5 years into its building phase.

You say the Marina may never get off the ground but did you actually go there? In case you hadn't noticed, stages 1, 2 and 3 are complete and inhabited, the waterways are complete, pristine and functioning, there are permanent residents and many boats. The retail/restaurant precinct will be built within the next 24 months, slower than we want, but built they will be. The slowdown was caused by banks recalling loans and ceasing to lend during the 2009 economic downturn. The administrators have done a fine job so far to ensure the Marina's development continues in a responsible manner. Let me assure you the Marina is here to stay and will be completed.

To all the Marina detractors, please get your facts first before posting unsubstantiated details here or anywhere. Ren, it's a shame some redneck broke into your car and those of us who have experienced this know exactly how you feel. That said, here's some free advice. If you can afford to, buy into the Marina now while you can get a good deal on waterfront properties. The rewards in years to come will be obvious. If you have a family, they will love the quiet and friendly lifestyle this area has to offer.

I have to disagree with you Jackmoon. I live in the Martha Cove Marina and cant stand it. Its a crummy development. Our property is only 1 year old and is falling down around our ears. Nothing is completed here apart from the sardine trays on the water. Everyone we know in this development are in massive regret for purchasing here. I hope we are able to sell our home soon, it has been an uphill battle since day 1, the reputation of the marina is not helping things either we will end up probably having to sell our home for $200,000 less than what we originally paid.
From what I here the Marina is going to just end up being another Patterson Lakes. Too Bad.
Sorry about your car Ren same thing happened to friends of ours that were staying down last winter,
not only did they break in they tore up the leather interior with a knife.

It is a shame that the Marina Development has gone bad. In the longer run, the pricing will sort itself out.(The initial prices were ridicuolsy high for its location and benefits) The crummy buildings (how could they get away with it) will be replaced and the Marina will be seen as a tourist attraction.

The GFC did not do anyone any favours, but housing investment has to be seen over the long term.

I did not buy into the Marina complex. I wanted to, before the plans were made available, but stayed out. I live on the Horizons estate and can honestly say that this place and Safety Beach has no equal on the Bay.

I am looking at the long term picture, and whilst I do have other properties in Safety Beach, I do consider them to be ALL long term. I am also building another house in the estate and am looking forward to it.

I believe this area will boom and it will never become like Patterson Lakes. My neighbours used to live at Patterson Lakes and love it here.

As a matter of fact, the comparison to Patterson Lakes could not be further from the truth. I have been to Patterson Lakes for fishing and eating and I am glad I never purchased there. (I initially looked there before buying at Safety Beach)

If you speak to more of the residents (not so much the unfortunate group that initially bought into the Marina) you will find a more sympathetic view of the neighbourhood.

For those thinking about purchasing in the marina complex, do your homework, check for deals and remember that vacant land does not have crummy developments until you build one.

The sardine cans have gone up in price from about $200,000 to over $350,000.

The marina will get itself up and going, and all of us will be winners in the end.

Martha Cove Marina Update - June 12 2010.
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1: The retail and cafe/restaurant precinct will be built within 3 years, possibly sooner but allow 3 years. Check this space again at end of 2013.

2: The empty and uncompleted houses along clipper quay will probably stay that way for some time due to a dispute with Pearl Hill (the builder) and City Pacific, who owe Pearl Hill vast sums of money (according to Pearl Hill). This issue could drag on for some time so don't hold your breath.

3: As of June 2010, you can buy land and berth in Clipper Quay (parallel to Rymer Street) for around $660K. That's not a bad deal - particularly if you have a boat or yacht.

4: A large number of 'A' Block Apartments have been sold with full time residents and tenants moving in.

5: If you bargain hard enough, you can pick up a home on the boardwalk with a 12 metre berth for around 1.2M. But not for long.

6: There are several new permanent residents at Martha Cove. I know - I've met them.

7: The Marina owes CBA over 121M. Anyone under the illusion that the administrators are not working hard in the best interests of the Marina is mis-informed.

I'm unsure why the Aussie gene pool includes the "let's kick them while they are down" attitude, but who am I to change a gene inbred in this Nation. The Marina will be successful, just later rather than sooner. Those who have purchased and those who buy now will look back at 2010 in a few years and raise a glass to toast the capital gain made on their properties. And good luck to them I say.

Hello did your friend sell ?? Because its a property market thats moving again