Martha Cove Away From The Rat-Race
26th March, 2007
"It's just a great lifestyle and away from the rat-race"
After four intensive years of development Martha Cove is now the home address for some owners who've recently taken up residence.
For Melbourne couple David and Kate Smith and his family, it's a dream come true.
"We saw the potential in the development as a fantastic opportunity to pull the boat up to the back door. No longer is it a problem to find berthing for bigger boats," said David.
The Smiths say there are a lot of people who are retiring to the Mornington Peninsula and are downsizing.
"They're getting rid of their big homes, and they're people like us who like the boating and the beach. I'll commute between here and Melbourne's Southbank, just to get away from the rat-race... it's just a great lifestyle, having the beach at your back door and no height restrictions for boats."
And Kate Smith says there are plenty of younger people who like the boating and the beach.
"Since we've been down here we've met our neighbours and made some really good friends who want the same lifestyle."
The impact of Martha Cove has also drawn a favourable response from the media.
Channel Seven interviewed the Smith family in a feature story for their prime time 6 o'clock evening news bulletin, in which Martha Cove was introduced as a multi-million dollar marina development that has transformed Port Phillip Bay.
"It's the private jetty at the doorstep which is the main selling point," quipped the Channel Seven reporter.
Seven also interviewed locals who confessed how their properties in the area had been swept up in the Martha Cove boom and had quadrupled in value.
Sales Manager Stuart Cox says there's been all manner of enquiries particularly after the warmer summer months and the numbers of people stopping by Martha Cove.
"The response has been terrific. People can now see what it looks like and they want to live here. Like the Smiths, some came to have a look at what their friends had purchased and now they're buyers too," said Mr. Cox.
