GOLDEN AGE STILL AFLOAT

REPORTS today that two major players in the marine industry are preparing to embark on separate projects costing about $100 million each are big news in a week of upheaval on the Gold Coast.

That sort of investment, by Tony Longhurst’s The Boat Works and the Gay family’s Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM), amounts to a huge vote of confidence in the industry and in the city.

Mr Longhurst’s anticipated announcement today that his operation will double in size to 43ha, and GCCM’s confirmation yesterday that it is also doubling its operations to 37.5ha, point to golden days ahead in boat construction here. The market is evidently buoyant and confidence high.

The expansions will mean thousands more jobs and add to the Gold Coast’s growing reputation for quality marine work and skilled operators.

Following upheaval at the Jewel project at Surfers Paradise this past week, the marine industry announcements are indications the city’s dream of entering a golden age, to take it to a new level after the Commonwealth Games, remains alive. In fact, the Bulletin has been able to report plenty of positives this week.

Among them was the story we broke yesterday that the State Government has given the council a green light for a twoyear trial of a ferry system – a major development for a city working hard to get a fast and efficient public transport system up and running to take vehicles off our clogged roads. The light rail has proven to be a remarkable success with commuters and tourists. A properly run ferry system will generate similar support. We were also able to report this week on exciting developments for the Gold Coast’s film industry.

As new projects come on line and the city economy continues to diversify and grow, a golden age does indeed beckon.