Manly Boatshed in Fairlight’s North Harbour reopened after a major facelift last weekend, Saturday 14 October.
Manly MP James Griffin launched the reopening alongside owner-manager, Robbie Treharne, whose family purchased the original Fairlight jetty and boat storage in 1945. The pair cut a ribbon together to unveil a new floating dock and other improvements to Manly Boatshed.
The $1.2 million upgrade, jointly funded by the Treharnes and the NSW Government, includes a dry storage shed for 45 kayaks and 12 paddleboards/surf-skis, power and washdown facilities, an extended deck area, and a new 21-metre pontoon for safer boating access and the launch of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Mr Griffin told Manly Observer, “The former NSW Government was very proud to provide funding to support the refurbishment and improvement of the Manly Boatshed. The funding helped improve water access for visitors and locals alike.
“These are the sorts of projects that improve our community and deliver better access to our beautiful harbour.”
The upgrade is part of Transport for NSW (TfNSW) $96 million Boating Now program, which provides grant funding to improve maritime infrastructure and facilities across NSW to support the needs of both commercial and recreational boaters.
The program is funded from boating licences, registration and other fees collected by TfNSW. Launched in 2014 and into its fourth round, the scheme has funded around 330 projects across NSW, of which 280 are complete.
The new pontoon also provides safe water access for emergency services in all weather and tide conditions because of its relatively sheltered location between Fairlight Beach and North Harbour Reserve.
Manly Boatshed are also pleased to confirm they operate a coffee kiosk, serving take-away coffees and teas between 7am and midday, seven days a week, to the maritime community and pedestrians passing along the Spit to Manly Walk.
Mr Griffin continued, “A huge congratulations to Robbie Treharne and the Treharne family for their custodianship of the Boatshed. It is now very ready for its next wonderful chapter and a long future.”
However, he couldn’t resist joking, “The only fear is that it is such a good location, we might see a few more boats and kayaks from the Eastern Suburbs!”
America’s Cup connection
Manly Boatshed General Manager, Robbie, is the son of distinguished sailor Hugh Treharne, a world champion yachtsman who raced in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 31 times and was a key member of the Australia II team that shocked the sporting world by winning the America’s Cup in 1983.
It was the first America’s Cup race in 132 years of the international sporting event that a country other than the USA won.
Robbie, is the third generation of the Treharne family to operate the historic wharf (his father Hugh actually grew up living above the boatshed!).
During the upgrade, for which his business invested $650,000, the older infrastructure, including slipways, jetty and wharf, were demolished.
Mr Treharne said, “The new pontoon will be a boost to local businesses and tourism for pick-up and drop-off as it is only a 10-minute walk to Manly Wharf, restaurant, bars, retail stores and beaches.
“Another reason for this investment is to continue the family legacy of the site, as boating is in our blood. My father, Hugh Treharne, grew up here and learned his skills on these very waters. He went on to achieve incredible things in sailing and was inducted into the Boating Industry Hall of Fame in 2013 with the highlight of his career being the tactician aboard Australia II when it won the America’s Cup in 1983.”
He added, “His father David – my grandfather – was the first of the family to own and operate the Manly Boatshed way back in 1945. I only wish he could have seen what a terrific facility is has become all these years later.”
Manly Boatshed website: https://www.manlyboatshed.com
Hugh Treharne, yachting legend: https://boatgen.com.au/Hugh%20Treharne
