DEVELOPER Keith Johnson has shown supreme confidence in his Trinity Point marina, holding an on-site open day even though the proposed project has not yet been approved.
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Mr Johnson rolled out the red carpet for the event. There were drinks waiters on hand, and a team of chefs serving up a taste of seafood, pastries and other culinary delights expected to be on offer at the marina.
But it was brand ambassador Jennifer Hawkins who stole the show.
Mr Johnson said Ms Hawkins was the perfect person to be the face of the the $388 million tourist destination at Morisset Park.
"It wasn't a choice: she's local, she loves property, and is just a natural fit with Trinity Point," Mr Johnson said.
Ms Hawkins said the development will be "world class" and the lifestyle on offer will be "beautiful".
Mr Johnson announced the development's main street would be named Jennifer Hawkins Boulevard.
While Ms Hawkins is well known for growing up in the Newcastle suburb of Homesville, she revealed that her family also had a house at Fishing Point.
"We spent a lot of time in Lake Macquarie, so it feels like home when I come here, so I'm very happy to be involved," she said.
Mr Johnson said he had been involved in long negotiations with council about the project.
"I've always said we had to do it right, and I believe we have got it right now."
The proposed development features a 188-berth marina, 250 apartments, a 60-room hotel, restaurant, function centre, a cafe and a public reserve which would run around the entire site.
The project's architect, Vince Squillace, said construction on the site would run north to south, starting with the marina, which will cost an estimated $24.6 million.
"The style of the architecture is quite contemporary and we've taken advantage of the space that we've got," Mr Squillace said.
Lake Macquarie City Council's sea level rise policy has been taken into consideration in the design. All of the the marina buildings would sit above the 1-in-100-year flood level.
"Even the car park entrances [are above the 1-in-100-year flood level] - the car park is below the flood level, but all the entrances into the car park are at 2.8 metres [above sea level]," Mr Squillace said.
Earlier this month, Mr Johnson launched Trinity Point at a restaurant in Circular Quay.
The NSW government approved a concept plan five years ago for the 23-hectare Trinity Point site. Mr Johnson has since sought to increase the scale of the project.