LandCorp has awarded the tender for civil works to South-West based APH Contractors which is expected to begin work within four weeks.

APH had completed the Stage One works, including site works for the entertainment centre and improvements to Princess Royal Drive.

Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said he was pleased the Stage Two works could start, bringing the waterfront vision another step closer for Albany residents.

“It has taken us a while to work through the details of the tender for this next stage, but I’m confident we will ultimately deliver a high-quality product that Albany will be proud of in years to come,” he said.

Works would cover construction of the marina and breakwater; development of the future hotel; short stay accommodation and commercial sites to the east of the jetty.

It is anticipated that works would be completed late in 2010, with boat pens in the marina scheduled to be available in 2011.

Mr Grylls said the hotel and short-stay accommodation sites would be released to the market later this year once site earthworks were well under way.

The marina for small craft has always been the major part of the waterfront development.

Its development underpins the future of the Antarctica Cup Yacht Race as a base for the large ocean-going yachts.

Local enthusiasts also hope to attract yachts which now by-pass Albany on the way to New Zealand because there are no suitable mooring facilities.