Overseas interest in fishing park

Ballina Fishing Park on North Creek Road will be auctioned on May 13. It has attracted much interest including one prospective buyer from Saudi Arabia.

SOMEONE from Saudi Arabia could be the new owner of Ballina Fishing Park after it is auctioned next month.

Selling agent David Powell said there had been plenty of interest in the 17ha site on North Creek Road.

“I have been contacted by lots of interesting characters, including someone from as far away as Saudi Arabia,” he said.

“There has been a lot of back-and-forth with that party.

“They keep wanting more and more information about the fishing park.

“But there are some other great personalities thinking about buying it.

“I think the current owners are just selling because they have gone as far as they can with it.”

Mr Powell would not be drawn on how much he thought the Ballina Fishing Park would fetch at auction.

“I have no idea what it’s worth,” he said.

“That’s why I’m putting it to auction. There’s no point in me putting a figure on it.

“It’s really whether someone can see the value in it.”

The saltwater fishing park is situated on North Creek, and visitors can catch avariety of species such as bream and jewfish.

There are also barbecues and picnic areas.

But plenty more could be done, according to MrPowell.

“At the moment it is a little bit under-utilised,” he said.

“But this is a golden opportunity.

“I would love to sell it as a tourist attraction.

“It just needs the right type of person to take it to the next level.

“I’ve had a business profile done on the park so that interested buyers can see how it could be set up.

“It just needs a little bit more work done, better presentation, a bit of landscaping; that kind of thing.

“All the bones are there.

“All the hard work has been done.

“This is something that would appeal to people of all ages. Something for the whole family to enjoy together.”

And with Ballina growing in popularity as a holiday destination, the fishing park could become even morelucrative in the future.

“It’s a beautiful place, Ballina,” he said.

“It’s stunning.

“I think a tourist attraction like this is really needed here.”

The Ballina Fishing Park currently has aquaculture farm production with permits in place from NSW Fisheries.

It will be auctioned on site at 11am on Thursday, May 13.