QUICKSILVER has bought the Closehaven Marina and could leave The Reef Marina on the eve of its proposed multi-million dollar redevelopment.

The reef giant announced in a statement this morning the purchase of Closehaven Marina site, near the Port Douglas Yacht Club, from prominent local businessman John Morris for an undisclosed amount.

The news could have implications for a number of separate issues likely to influence the town including:

• the $100million development to The Reef Marina
  
  
• the placement of the Port Douglas fishing fleet
  
  
• the outcome of the state owned lot 96 adjacent to the Closehaven Marina
  
  
• separation of the town’s major reef operations; and 
  
  
• movement of private berths from Closehaven Marina.

It's believed The Reef Marina and Quicksilver have been in negations for several months regarding the current lease within the marina.

The Closehaven Marina is one of the few prime waterfront properties left in Port Douglas with a 35 berth capacity.

“As a company we at Quicksilver are very focused on continuing to be a driving force in attracting tourism to the region,” Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director, said following the purchase.

“Shin Watari (Quicksilver owner) is an enormous advocate for the Great Barrier Reef…he sees a very bright future for the region and tourism and particularly with all of the new developments being completed or underway in Port Douglas.”

Settlement on the new Quicksilver Group purchase is expected by the end of June.