DIVE RIGHT ON IN
World-class attraction finally gets tick off after decade of false starts
A $5 MILLION deal for an artificial dive site has finally been inked after a decade of false starts, in what is set to become a major boon for the city’s economy.
The council and State Government will this morning announce the deal for the site to be built 2.5km off Narrowneck, one kilometre east of the Scottish Prince wreck. Construction is expected to start either late this year or early 2020 and finish in mid-2021. It is expected to bring an extra 16,000 people to the city annually, injecting $2 million into the economy.
Mayor Tom Tate said the site’s final design would be determined in coming weeks but the first stage would either be a dome-like structure or a pyramid.
“The aim is to have this new tourism asset installed by June 2021, ready to welcome divers from around the globe,’’ he said.
THE Gold Coast will finally have a world-class dive attraction after a decade of false starts and dashed hopes.
The council and State Government will this morning announce a $5 million deal for an artificial site to be built 2.5km off Narrowneck, 1km east of the Scottish Prince wreck. Construction is expected to start either late this year or early 2020 and finish in mid-2021.
The council and State Government will tip in $2.5 million each.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the project, first proposed 10 years ago, would be a major boon for the city’s econattract omy and attract new visitors.
“Diving is growing in popularity worldwide,” she said. “We know that having another world-class attraction will more visitors to the Coast and help to grow the tourism industry.
“The government will partner with Gold Coast City Council by providing funding to construct an artificial dive attraction that is both worldclass and innovative and will be located offshore, just 2.5km from Main Beach.”
The Federal Government had offered a decommissioned Royal Australian Navy frigate as a dive site centrepiece, but the State Government considered the cost too high.
The project will create 18 jobs during construction and 82 positions once completed. It is expected to bring an extra 16,000 people to the city annually, injecting $2 million into the economy.
The dive site location is considered ideal because it is easily accessible to tourism operators year-round.
The boat journey from inside the Broadwater to the Narrowneck site takes just over 25 minutes. The short trip means dive operators will be able to take multiple tour groups daily.
The massive structure will be sunk at a depth of 30m, with its highest point just 8m below the surface. This will allow both experienced divers and novices to enjoy the attraction.
The first stage will either be a dome-like structure or a pyramid. Further stages will include an underwater cemetery and concrete garden.
Mayor Tom Tate said the site’s final design would be determined in coming weeks.
“The city has closed its expressions of interest campaign on this project and we hope to announce a successful design-and-construct contractor next month,” he said. “The aim is to have this new tourism asset installed by June 2021, ready to welcome divers from around the globe.’’
The dive market is limited primarily to southeast Queensland enthusiasts because the Coast has lacked a major attraction. However, the new dive site is expected to lure interstate and overseas visitors.
Dive the Gold Coast owner Ian Banks said the new attraction would offer exciting opportunities for the industry.
“With a purpose-built structure it will encourage the marine life to hang around,” he said.
THE AIM IS TO HAVE THIS NEW TOURISM ASSET INSTALLED BY JUNE 2021, READY TO WELCOME DIVERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE MAYOR TOM TATE
GOLD Coast leaders have pressed the need to diversify the city’s tourism offerings to meet the world’s growing appetite for new attractions.
Natural assets like our beaches remain a vital pillar to the city’s tourism engine room, but a great deal of work has been done in recent years to broaden our appeal and avoid a Kodak moment by failing to evolve.
Today, that concerted push enters a new chapter with the announcement that an artificial dive precinct will be built 2.5km off Narrowneck.
The project has received universal support from city stakeholders, including the Bulletin, and its reality is testament to years of lobbying led by Mayor Tom Tate.
The $5 million site is projected to attract about 16,000 extra visitors, adding another $2 million to the economy, meaning it should pay for itself within three years.
And it is a growing industry.
In 2012, there was an estimated 30 million certified divers, making it one of the most important marinebased tourism sectors in the world. That figure was growing by about one million each year.
The city has seen the explosion of a thriving events calendar, food and coffee culture, craft beer brands, fashion labels, musicians and artists. The theme parks are expanding and bringing in new attractions. The Hinterland is constantly exploring new ways to turn the green into gold.
This diversification of business and culture has grown our lifestyles and economy beyond sun and sand.
Tourism is the Gold Coast’s Holy Grail and we’ve taken the dive to a new frontier.