BERTHING SWEET
Tate backs superyacht bonanza by splashing on big boat docks
MAYOR Tom Tate is promising to splash millions on superyacht berths as the sector warns all levels of government not to miss the boat with floating palace traffic tipped to soar.
The Southport Yacht Club is anxious for superyacht berths in the Broadwater by late next year when big boats descend for the America’s Cup in NZ.
Cr Tate is on board, revealing his council will foot 25 per cent of the price tag, or $7-$9 million to fast-track it: “This is part of broadening the economy.”
Yacht club boss Brett James said he was knocking back a superyacht a month and urged haste for 2020’s America’s Cup.
State Minister Cameron Dick said it was the first time fasttracking plans had been raised but it was an “exciting project”.
MAYOR Tom Tate is ready to splash out millions on superyacht berths as talks are fast-tracked for Gold Coast docks tipped to attract more lucrative floating palaces into the city.
A proposed terminal, allowed for in The Spit Master Plan, is being targeted for a site on the southern Broad- water near the refuelling station at Southport Yacht Club.
Cr Tate has thrown his support behind it, revealing to the Bulletin his council is prepared to put up 25 per cent of the price tag, expected to be $7-$9 million.
Political and boating industry leaders are warning funding must come quickly, as the project has to be completed by September 2020 for the America’s Cup in New Zealand.
More than 140 international superyachts are expected to pass through Australian waters at the time and city leaders say the Gold Coast would be well placed to capture the lucrative traffic.
“There is $35 million for The Spit Master Plan in this year’s council budget. It’s skin in the game,” he said.
“(The aspect of) the project I find interesting that we are going to fund together with the state is the superyacht facility.
“This will mean two 80metre yachts will able to dock next to the yacht club.
“It will be 25 per cent city, 25 per cent state and the balance from the yacht club. It will be a joint venture and this will enable superyachts to come.
“This is part of broadening the economy.”
A proposed berth has been in the works for more than three years and was included in The Spit Master Plan as part of a lengthy community consultation process.
The State Government unveiled its final master plan late last month.
According to early plans, the berth will be large enough to host either a 160m boat or two 80m vessels.
No dredging would be required.
Southport Yacht Club general manager Brett James said the facility would be a “gamechanger” for the Gold Coast.
“It would be unique to Queensland and this needs to be done by September 2020 when there will be more superyachts in Australian waters than ever before for the
America’s Cup,” he said.
“There is already a waiting list of 140 vessels which have registered interest in coming and they will be travelling down Australia’s east coast and would be able to stop in here.
“We are already having to knock back one superyacht a month right now, so having this would be a gamechanger.”
It is estimated there are more than 5000 superyachts worldwide, with around 200 based in Australia.
State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the facility was an “exciting project for the Gold Coast, aligns with the master plan and the Queensland Government’s superyacht strategy”.
“After 18 months of work, this is the first time fasttracking this specific project has been raised,” Mr Dick said last night.
“My department will now engage with council and the yacht club to further this project, noting the department has been advised there are native title and tenure issues that must be resolved before the project can proceed.”
Industry cheerleader Superyacht Australia estimates the economic value of the sector will grow to $3.34 billion by 2021 from $1.96 billion in 2016.
Businesses across the Gold Coast are investing significant funds into the superyacht industry in a bid to attract a larger share of the market.
The Bulletin revealed last month Tony Longhurst’s The Boat Works was beginning a $100 million expansion, including a superyacht precinct.
The Gold Coast last month hosted the third annual Australian Superyacht Rendezvous, founded by Gold Coast City Marina CEO Trenton Gay, who is lobbying for more lenient federal laws to boost Australia’s attractiveness to superyacht charters.
IT WOULD BE UNIQUE TO QUEENSLAND AND THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE BY SEPTEMBER 2020. SOUTHPORT YACHT CLUB GM BRETT JAMES