Colmslie Wharves

About Colmslie Wharves

Colmslie Wharves is being developed as a purpose-built commercial marina on the Brisbane River, approximately nine kilometres from the CBD. Rather than targeting weekend cruisers, the project is shaped around charter operators, tourism vessels, utility craft and other working fleets. The operator is now leasing ahead of an expected mid-2026 opening, with 50 berths planned for boats from roughly 12 to 50 metres. We think that clear commercial focus is what makes the development worth watching.

The proposed berths are designed around daily operations. Published plans include single and three-phase shore power, water, pump-out, waste and recycling points, and provision for on-water fuelling. Direct access for provisioning and maintenance should help operators turn vessels around efficiently. Crew and staff parking, toilets, showers and onsite management are also part of the advertised offer, addressing the shore-side needs that can be difficult to coordinate from a conventional recreational marina.

Security has been treated as operational infrastructure rather than an afterthought. The project advertises gated access, CCTV and patrols, useful for businesses responsible for passengers, equipment and high-value commercial assets. Its river location also places operators close to Brisbane's population and visitor economy without occupying the most congested CBD waterfront. For charter businesses, that could create a productive balance between city access, road logistics and a dedicated working environment.

Because Colmslie Wharves is a developing facility, future-tense claims matter. A feature shown in plans is not the same as a commissioned service, and proposed completion dates can move. Prospective tenants should ask which pontoons, utilities, fuel systems and landside amenities will be operational on the required start date. They should also discuss river-current exposure, vessel manoeuvring, passenger embarkation, maintenance permissions and the compliance obligations attached to commercial use.

Our take is that Colmslie Wharves could fill an important gap for Brisbane's professional marine sector. The scale, planned utility connections and commercial-only positioning are more relevant than resort-style extras, and the ability to accommodate vessels up to about 50 metres broadens the opportunity. It is not yet a casual destination berth, so recreational crews should look elsewhere unless the operator publishes a visitor offer. For businesses evaluating a base, the right next step is a detailed leasing conversation backed by vessel and operating requirements.

Services

Colmslie Wharves is advertising 50 commercial marina berths for vessels approximately 12 to 50 metres long, with leasing underway ahead of the project's expected mid-2026 opening. Planned berth services include water, single-phase and three-phase power, pump-out, waste and recycling facilities, plus provision for on-water fuelling. Exact utility ratings and the commissioning date for each service should be confirmed in the lease documentation.

The landside plan includes vehicle access for provisioning and maintenance, parking for crew and staff, toilets, showers and onsite marina management. Security measures promoted by the operator include gated access, CCTV and patrols. These facilities are intended to support charter, tourism, utility and other commercial fleets rather than conventional leisure visitors or holiday liveaboards.

Interested operators should provide full vessel dimensions, displacement, electrical load, fuel type, passenger movements and maintenance needs. Ask for the completed-works schedule, access rules, insurance requirements, permitted contractors, waste obligations and emergency procedures. River-current conditions, manoeuvring room and flood planning should form part of the operational review. No service should be treated as available until the operator confirms it is commissioned, approved and included for the relevant berth.

Ideal for

Brisbane charter, tourism, transport, utility and professional marine operators seeking a secure commercial base with strong power, provisioning and fleet-support infrastructure. It is not currently positioned as a recreational visitor marina.

What we love

• A dedicated commercial-marina concept rather than a mixed-use compromise.
• Planned capacity for 50 vessels from approximately 12 to 50 metres.
• Single and three-phase power designed around working fleets.
• Provisioning, maintenance access and crew parking built into the plan.
• A Brisbane River location only about nine kilometres from the CBD.

To keep in mind

The facility is under development, with opening timing and commissioned services subject to confirmation. Obtain detailed lease and completion schedules before making operational commitments. Recreational visitors should not assume casual berthing will be offered.