Expansion plans for the Gold Coast marine precinct

by Jeni Bone on 7 Jan 2013 A proposed Gold Coast International Marine Precinct, to cost around $390 million, seeks to enhance the existing Gold Coast Marine Precinct through the development of a new integrated marine industry facility. The facility has been designed by industry figures, Maritime Quays/Maritimo Bill Barry-Cotter and Kevin Miller, from Property Solutions in Brisbane.

The site is bounded to the north and west by Oakey Creek, to the east by the Coomera River and to the south by Shipper Drive and has a combined area of 63.5 hectares, offering bridge-free access to the Gold Coast Broadwater, Moreton Bay and Pacific Ocean via the Seaway.

This proposal will extend the existing Gold Coast Marine Precinct through development of an integrated working industrial marina adjacent to the existing marine precinct.

The proposal has been pitched by Harbour Island Pty Ltd, a joint venture company between Maritimo (Maritime Quays) and the Brisbane company, Property Solution Group.

Along with integrated marine industry, there is accommodation for compatible businesses, 28.9 hectares zoned for marine industry on the western, dry end of the site, and then on the eastern side, dry stack storage for around 300 boats, as well as 4.5 hectares composed of 110 marina berths and another 7 hectare area including 280 multiple size berths, which will involve widening and dredging the Coomera River.

On top of that, there’s another 9.3 hectares of mixed use, which would take in sales, showrooms, offices, service industry, a Yacht Club, restaurants and retail outlets.

In the proposal which is currently before the Queensland Coordinator General’s Office, there are plans for a marine industry TAFE, and a small area set aside for medium density residential.

The development allows for another 40m natural buffer to the Oakey Creek on the northern boundary, as well as a landscaped promenade along the marina.

According to Jeff Litzow of Maritimo Properties, the new development will be the ideal facility to handle the next 20 years of growth within Coomera and surrounding suburbs.

'As Coomera continues to develop, this particular parcel will be highly sought after and desirable, given all the residential development proposed and underway, including the recently approved 1,800 households at Waterway Downs, situated on the northern side of Oakey Creek.

'It will cater to people living locally for boating, socialising and retail. The Coomera waterfront will be an attractive destination on its own, as well as generating jobs for hundreds of people in the region.'

The site is adjacent to the Pacific Motorway, east of Dreamworld, and on the Coomera River, within 3km of Coomera Railway Station and new Coomera regional centre and proposed Westfield shopping centre, so as Litzow explains 'it is destined to become another vibrant boating hub for south-east Queensland'.

Says Litzow: 'It has taken five years to get to this point, with an environmental impact statement a requirement. The approval process has been managed by Planit Consulting, and everything appears to be progressing in the right direction. We hope to have the approval in place during the course of 2013.'

Feedback from the marine industry has been nothing but positive, continues Litzow. 'It will create a new boost for boating and add another dimension to the Gold Coast Marine Precinct. This parcel represents 64 hectares of the total 250-hectare marine precinct, so it takes up a quarter of the precinct. It will be a massive asset to the Gold Coast and Queensland marine industry.'

In terms of long-term, sustainable benefits the Coomera Marine Industry facility will deliver:

• Employment generation – Construction Phase: 2,250 full time equivalent position years within the Gold Coast region. Operational Phase: 5,000 full time equivalent position years within the Gold Coast region
• A Marine Industry TAFE or similar centre of excellence
• Operating revenue of $730m per annum
• $250m of annual export income
• 390 berth Marina and 290 berth dry stack storage
• Increased opportunities to value add to the local Marine Industry
• Achievement of critical mass via clustering a large number of synergistic businesses
• Assisting in meeting current demand for marine industry facilities
• Provision of complimentary facilities to ensure longevity of the entire Coomera Marine Facility
• Provision of a Master Plan that provides the mechanisms to guide development so as to ensure sustainability.

Businesses looking to relocate to extend to this exciting growth corridor of the Gold Coast and take advantage of this major commercial facility that will service that whole residential corridor, and Brisbane as well, which is just 45 minutes away, can find out more at www.gcintmarineprecinct.com.au

For more information email Jeff Litzow jlitzow(at)maritimo.com.au