The redevelopment, first proposed in 2005, has been held up due to environmental considerations and public concern with the size and scale of the project.

It has now been “scaled right back” and will only include redevelopment of the existing marina, reducing it to 104 larger berths on a timber floating pontoon–style jetty.

Construction will first begin on 30 berths on November 1 and is expected to be complete next year, The berths will be offered for sale which current lessees can buy or continue to rent.

Further stages of the project will include the construction of the remaining 74 berths and a commercial centre, featuring a café on the northern end of the river.

Sean O’Doherty from Ray White Marine, the selling agent for the marina, anticipates the project will have a positive flow-on effect for the local economy.

“It will not only benefit the town financially but also from a tourism perspective nationally, as more people are going to talk about Batemans Bay,” he said.

“They’re going to enhance the slipway which is going to allow for painters to come in, it’s going to allow for marine mechanics to come in there, and the upgrade of the marina itself.

“It’s going to attract more vessels and its’ going to attract bigger vessels, which is going to attract more money.”

The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner reported in February the project had been held up due to the endangered pied oystercatcher, which inhabits the sand flats east of the marina.

Batemans Bay Marina manager Rob Bowmaker said the presence of the bird was one of the reasons the development had been scaled back and its habitat would be protected.

He said there were originally “massive plans”, which caused concerned among residents.

“Since 2006 there’s been a lot of changes because of environmental concerns, public opinion, things like that,” Mr Bowmaker said.

“Local residents were not happy with having a dry stacker, a big shed on the road, so that’s why it’s been scaled right back now to redevelop the existing marina itself.

“It would have been fantastic - but the site didn’t lend itself to a big shed being stuck on the road that goes out to our beaches.”

Mr Bowmaker has been involved with the project since its inception when he was then commander of Coastal Patrol.

He is excited to see the project come to fruition, and says it is desperately needed.

“The marina needs to be upgraded because it is getting a bit tired and coming to the end of its life as far as structures go,” he said.

“A lot of these pylons in here are 45 years old, and they’re just hanging together.

“Once you put an attractive marina here and you have all the little cafés there where people can come and sit on a lovely sunny day.

Mr Bowmaker said the plans looked “fantastic.”

“Boat owners will be able to get on and off their boats easier, which means they will be safer,” he said.

“And people love walking around marinas - they’re wonderful to walk around.

“It will attract people in the area and it will help the place grow.

“I believe it will be the best thing for the Bay.

“All fingers crossed there no hold ups.”