$100M EXPANSION NO.2
THE Gold Coast’s biggest marina is embarking on a $100 million expansion, creating 1300 extra jobs and doubling its size in anticipation of a boom in big boat visits to the region.
Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM) – already the largest facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere – will develop a further 20ha at its Coomera base to occupy 37.5ha in total as part of its Stage 2 development.
Significantly, the facility’s CEO Trenton Gay (right) said the project included a major boost to its boat-lift capacity, quadrupling from 250 tonnes to 1000.
The Stage 2 development feasibility document states 250 plus jobs will be created during construction, with more than 1000 permanent extra full-time jobs upon completion.
GCCM currently has 80 marine businesses employing more than 700 staff on site in refit and repair roles – and Mr Gay said that would soar to 1700 permanent jobs after Stage 2 was finished.
“The exponential effect will obviously also impact upon many other sectors in our supply chain in both the marine industry and other industries including tourism and hospitality,” he said.
The marina’s re-fit and repair facility services vessels ranging from tinnies to 70plus metre superyachts.
The Stage 2 site, on Beattie Rd, was bought by the Gay family more than 10 years ago – and Mr Gay told the Bulletin the Stage 2 development had involved five years of planning and research.
Mr Gay said it was estimated that once approvals – currently awaiting assessment by Gold Coast City Council and State Government – went through it would take 18 months to two years to complete.
He said the expansion was an important evolution for the industry on the Gold Coast.
“This project is an exciting coup for the Gold Coast’s ever-expanding marine industry, which is developing a global reputation for being a leading destination for marine re-fit and repair within the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr Gay said. “Submissions for this site have been lodged with authorities and once approvals are in place, construction for the first stage will be imminent.
“Once completed, GC City Marina will be able to further accommodate the growing size of our domestic fleet and those coming to the South Pacific region including superyachts, wide beam catamarans and sailing yachts thanks to groundbreaking new facilities including a 1000-tonne capacity lift and undercover refit and repair factories.”
Since mid-last year an international on-water customs port has been trialled at Southport Yacht Club and Mr Gay – instrumental in lobbying for the trial – said it meant “larger boats utilising our facilities”.
He had hoped the Federal Government would have made it permanent by now but said the legislation was held up by the “revolving door of prime ministers”.
Mr Gay said the Gold Coast was perfectly positioned to capitalise on an increase in big boat traffic due to the increased awareness and popularity of south-east Queensland as a cruising ground and its reputation for servicing vessels, state government support for the lucrative superyacht industry and enabling international boats to clear customs.
“With foreign-flagged vessels now able to clear immigration on the Gold Coast, we are seeing larger boats utilising our facilities,” he said.
Mr Gay said during the customs trial his GC City Marina had welcomed some of the largest vessels to ever visit the city, including Dragonfly (73m,), Pangaea (59m) and Pursuit (51m).
“We expect boats of this size and larger to increase in numbers.”