SUPER NEW MARINA EXPANSION
A GOLD Coast marina and shipyard undergoing a $100 million expansion has added a huge superyacht precinct to capitalise on an anticipated influx of floating palaces to southeast Queensland.
The Boat Works owner Tony Longhurst unveiled the designs last night, showcasing new plans for a superyacht marina and a first look at a proposed small tower for restaurants, boutique retail, offices and rooftop pools called the Pyramid.
The concrete pour started earlier this week on the superyacht facility which will include 20 sheds for undercover storage, 20 hardstands for refit work and 20 marina berths.
Mr Longhurst revealed the additions at a ritzy James Bond-themed function at The Boat Works in Coomera attended by Mayor Tom Tate and boat industry luminaries including Maritimo founder Bill BarryCotter.
Mr Longhurst said the superyacht facility would be open for business by next year.
“There is a lot of potential for superyachts,” he said, adding ongoing dredging of the Coomera River to
3.5 metres was crucial to boosting traffic.
The Boat Works $100 million overall expansion, revealed in October last year, will see it almost double in size from 23ha to 43ha and is tipped to create 2000 new jobs during construction and once fully operational in 18 months.
“It’s going to bring a lot of employment and a lot of growth to the area,” Mr Longhurst said.
Cr Tate said of Mr Longhurst’s ambitious project: “You have a dream, you have a go and you deliver.”