CABLE GUY’S $10M PUSH

Mayor pleads for urgent cash splash to reinvent city tourism post-COVID

GOLD COAST Mayor Tom Tate wants the state government to cough up at least $10m by mid-year to kickstart “crucial’’ tourism attractions and capitalise on the city’s international reputation as a safe haven from COVID-19.

Cr Tate has asked Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to delegate a significant portion of the government’s $74 million investment fund south as the city looks to reinvent itself in the post-COVID era.

He says at least $1m is needed to expand the city’s already under-construction dive facilities while several million was needed to secure a business case for the Mudgeeraba to Springbrook cableway and more sporting facilities at the Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre.

It comes as a report to council suggests the cableway would travel from Mudgeeraba to Springbrook and could cover a route that does not require an expensive buy-up of private land.

“COVID-19 aside, the world’s most successful tourism destinations reinvent themselves every few years because people need a reason to return, especially the key domestic family market which has been our staple for more than 50 years,’’ Cr Tate said.

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TOURISM DESTINATIONS REINVENT THEMSELVES EVERY FEW YEARS BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED A REASON TO RETURN GC MAYOR TOM TATE

THE Gold Coast wants at least $10m from the state government by mid-year to get “crucial” new tourism attractions such as a cableway and dive site expansions.

Mayor Tom Tate has asked Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to delegate a significant portion of the government’s $74m tourism investment fund south as the city looks to reinvent itself in the post-COVID era.

Cr Tate says at least $1m was needed to expand the city’s under-construction dive facilities, several million dollars were needed to secure a business case for the Mudgeeraba to Springbrook cableway, and revamped and expanded sporting facilities at the Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre also needed funds.

The money would also be used to fund new jetties to expand the ferry system north to Runaway Bay.

Cr Tate said the Coast had an opportunity to build new attractions during the COVID crisis, with international travel not expected until 2022.

Rather than ask the state government to immediately commit money to the controversial cableway concept, Cr Tate said he wanted to end 23 years of debate by commissioning a business case to determine if the project was feasible.

“COVID-19 aside, the world’s most successful tourism destinations reinvent themselves every few years because people need a reason to return, especially the key domestic family market which has been our staple for more than 50 years,” he said.

Cr Tate said the domestic dive market would be worth tens of millions of dollars annually in coming years.

The first stage of the dive precinct is under construction and will feature a series of prefabricated metal structures to be sunk off The Spit mid-year.

“The initial structure will be installed around June 2021, so I will be pitching for at least a further $1m from the state government from the rebuilding Queensland Tourism Investment Fund to invest in a further underwater structure,” he said. “It may be an underwater sculpture or series of smaller structures. I’ll rely on the dive industry reference group to guide us on what they feel is phase two of the precinct but securing the fund would be key.”

Mr Hinchliffe said the government would consider Cr Tate’s proposals.

“I am always happy to hear from Mayor Tom Tate about tourism initiatives and priorities for the Gold Coast,” he said. “The Palaszczuk government will consider all proposals for new attractions on the Gold Coast.

“Mayor Tate’s proposals for expanding ferry and heavy rail infrastructure have been referred to Transport and Main Roads for consideration.”

Tourism was worth more than $6bn to the Gold Coast before the pandemic hit in January 2020.

The closure of international and intrastate borders cost the industry more than $3.5bn.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan called for greater investment in both Hinterland attractions and an expansion of the convention centre at Broadbeach.

Mr Donovan said the fundamentals of the industry remained strong but new funding and fresh attractions were critical to clawing back the billions of dollars lost to the COVID downturn. “Investment is the key and we are already seeing the theme parks spend money on new rides,” he said.

Professor Brendan Murphy, secretary of the Department of Health, confirmed on Monday that international travel was unlikely in 2021 given the uncontrolled outbreaks of COVID-19.

“I think we will go most of this year with substantial border restrictions,” he said.

“Even if we have a lot of the population vaccinated, we don’t know whether that will prevent transmission of the virus and it is likely that quarantine will continue for some time.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said reinvention needed to come from the recovery.

“The Gold Coast needs a strong focus on events and we can add to our attractiveness with facilities and infrastructure which will bring more visitors but set up for the international market when they return.”