Marine Structures designs, supplies, and installs residential pontoons for Gold Coast waterfront properties. Based in Arundel, we manage everything in-house from design and council approvals through to installation.
Canal estates, tidal rivers, and open water all behave differently. The right pontoon for a sheltered canal in Hope Island is not the same as the right pontoon for a tidal property on the Coomera River or the Broadwater.
Our team assesses your site, your vessel, and your conditions before recommending a system. Every pontoon we install complies with Australian Standard 3962:2020 and is built to the same marina-grade specification we apply to commercial projects right here on the Gold Coast.
Piled pontoons are the most secure residential option available and the most common choice for Gold Coast properties with direct Broadwater or river frontage. Steel or spun concrete piles are driven into the seabed by a piling barge, creating a fixed connection that holds the pontoon in position regardless of tide height or weather conditions. The pontoon floats freely up and down the piles through specially designed pile brackets and rollers, so tidal movement is never an issue.
Steel piles are used in deeper water or where rock is encountered, and are sleeved in HDPE to reduce corrosion. Spun concrete piles are well suited to shallow water with good soil conditions. The gangway on a piled pontoon sits independently on top and rotates on an arc with the tide, keeping access safe and level at all times. If you have a larger vessel, a site exposed to wind or wash, or a property with significant tidal variation, a piled pontoon is the right foundation.
Strut pontoons are a practical and cost-effective solution for waterfront properties in moderately calm conditions, which covers a large portion of Gold Coast canal estates. An aluminium strut and the gangway connect at opposite ends of the pontoon to concrete mooring blocks on the shore. Both are hinged at each connection point, allowing the pontoon to move freely with the tide. Diagonal stainless steel cable braces provide lateral support.
This system works well where the water is relatively calm, the seabed is deep or rocky close to the shoreline, and the vessel is a standard recreational craft. If your canal is sheltered and your boat is not oversized, a strut pontoon is often a great option.
Cable pontoons are the most economical option and the simplest to install. The gangway sits centrally and is pivoted at the rear, running from a concrete mooring block on the shore. Stainless steel cables run from the rear corners of the pontoon to two abutment blocks on shore, providing lateral stability. Because the system is straightforward to install and remove, it is also a good option where a temporary installation is needed.
Cable pontoons are best suited to sheltered locations such as canal estates, lakes, or other low-exposure environments, and for smaller recreational vessels. For very sheltered sites with modest requirements, a modular dock may also be worth considering as an alternative. Our team can advise on the most appropriate solution for your specific location.
The Black Series is our premium residential range. Every visible component is finished in black, including pedestals, pile caps, gangway, ladders, light posts, sinks, and seats, with a carpeted soft fender and black fender as standard. Sleek black Jet Ski Docks are also available to complete the setup.
The construction underneath is identical to our standard Superior Pontoons range, marina-grade 50 MPa concrete decks, marine-grade aluminium framing, and GFRP reinforcing bars. Browse completed installations in our project gallery or speak to our team about whether the Black Series suits your site and configuration.
Residential pontoon installations on Gold Coast waterways typically require approval from the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) and Gold Coast City Council. Our engineering team understands local compliance requirements and handles all approvals as part of our standard service.
From your first enquiry through to installation, you work with one team:
Sales specialist scopes your site, vessel, and conditions, then prepares a tailored quote.
Degree-qualified drafters produce detailed pontoon drawings to GCWA and Council standards.
Engineering team manages GCWA and Gold Coast City Council approvals on your behalf.
Built in-house at our Arundel facility using marina-grade materials and methods.
Experienced crew delivers and installs on site, with handover once you’re on the water.
Marine Structures has been delivering marine infrastructure on the Gold Coast for decades. Our local project history includes some of the most significant marine construction undertaken on these waterways.
Our Gold Coast team is based in Arundel and services waterfront properties across the region. Tell us about your site and vessel and we will recommend the right system and provide a quote.
Most residential installations require GCWA and Gold Coast City Council approval. We manage this process as part of our standard service.
Timelines depend on approval timeframes and other factors. We provide a realistic schedule from your first consultation.
Our team of experts will work with you to determine the best pontoon to suit your property, vessel and budget.
Yes. We offer boat lifts and jet ski docks as part of a complete waterfront setup. Our team can design the full package around your property and the vessels you need to accommodate.
Our pontoons use marine-grade aluminium framing, 50 MPa concrete decks, and GFRP reinforcing bars, materials selected for durability and low maintenance in the marine environment.
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