What our new dive site could look like
A NEW dome-shaped dive site proposed by the Gold Coast City Council for 2.5km off the Spit has great potential, according to a prominent diving figure.
The latest concept for the dive site includes a large dome with “honeycomb’ openings, pipes and hiding places for marine life to live in”.
A council spokesman said the dive site would sit just behind the Scottish Prince wreck and at a depth of 32m.
The dome, or even the previously proposed pyramid, would be 24m – or eight storeys – high, allowing divers of all abilities to explore different parts of the precinct.
After losing two decommissoned watship that will become dive wrecks – HMAS Toobruk and HMAS Darwin offf other cities, Mayor Tom Tate said he was eager to finalise the paperwork and make a submission to the State Infrastructure Tourism Levy Fund for a 50-50 share of costs.
The council would request $2.5m from the fund’s $36 million that is available to councils across Queensland, and then match it to create the dive site.
“My wish is to see our local manufacturing industry benefit in the actual build of the structure,” the mayor said.
“It would be a historic day to see a structure like this being lowered to our dive site location 2.5km off The Spit.
“Ideally we’d be celebrating a structure designed locally, built locally and transported locally. Let’s make it happen.”
Leading diving authority Ian Banks of Diving the Gold Coast said the dome had great potential if done correctly. “But there are serious conditions that need to be taken into account,” he said.
Mr Banks said the lower part of the dive site could face turbidity issues, where silt could reduce visibility.
However, he said, with the right treatment and a diverse range of marine life attraced to it, the dive site would bring divers from all over the world.
Mayor Tate said the final tender would “no doubt” attract “exceptional” design ideas. The dive site will also have a number of different ‘precincts,’ possibly including an underwater garden and cemetery.
DO YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA FOR THE DIVE SITE? EMAIL YOUR DESIGN TO EDITORIAL@ GOLDCOAST.COM.AU