$10.3 million dredging project expected to supercharge Gold Coast marine industry

The Coast’s marine industry is expected to see a jobs boom thanks to a ‘game-changing’ $10 million project which is also tipped to hand a major boost to tourism businesses.

THE Gold Coast’s marine industry is gearing up for a major boom with a “game-changing” dredging project at Coomera set to lure more international superyachts to the city.

The $10.3 million project is expected to supercharge the Gold Coast marine precinct by deepening and widening the Coomera River between Sovereign Islands and Sanctuary Cove, allowing easier access for the floating palaces.

Dredging on the Coomera River is tipped to unlock jobs, tourism and the navigational channel.

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Large vessels are forced to wait until high tide to avoid getting stuck in the shallows.

But Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, who visited to see dredging works get underway, said from September vessels up to 60 metres would be able to use the channel freely.

Local businesses are thrilled with the development.

The Boat Works marina and shipyard owner Tony Longhurst said it would show international vessels the Gold Coast was open for business.

“They will head our way because the marine precinct will become the premium re-fit area in the southern hemisphere. A lot of the skippers wouldn’t come here before, they’d go to Brisbane, Cairns or Sydney instead,” he said.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey visiting the Gold Coast’s new $10.3 million Coomera Dredged Sediment Management Facility. Picture: Jerad Williams

“It’s bringing money from outside the state and outside Australia and they stay here and spend a lot of money on refitting and that sort of thing.

“We can’t wait for this, it’s going to be a massive boom for our industry, it’s a huge win for jobs,” he said.

The Boat Works has already committed 100 million dollars to a new superyacht yard to take advantage of the dredging work.

Dredging works are underway on the Gold Coast, with plans to widen the river for larger vessels by September.

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The business bought up 30 acres of land to make way for the extra berths and will hire more staff.

“It will double our business, so within twelve months we’ll employ another 1000 people on site because of this initiative,” Mr Longhurst said.

It has also invested in a 330 tonne boat lift — the biggest on the Coast — which will be able to lift up 150 ft superyachts out of the water, with plans to have it operational by Christmas.

Nearby Gold Coast City Marina also has its own expansion plans, earmarking land for an expansion in the next couple of years.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey visiting the Sediment Management Facility with Gold Coast councillor Cameron Caldwell, and Gold Coast Waterways Authority CEO Hal Morris. Picture: Jerad Williams

City Marina CEO Trent Gay said the improved accessibility would lead to a cash splash for the Coast with crews of up to 22 people soon able to dock in the area for maintenance.

“It’s the ideal place to get works done because they can have a good time and keep themselves entertained. They’ve got the beaches, the hinterland, great restaurants, the theme parks,” he said.

“Especially with the crews of the bigger vessels, they’re like backpackers on steroids — their living expenses are paid for on-board, they’re out at sea a lot so when they come to town they’ve got cash and they want to have some fun.”

There’s plenty of ways to spend downtime on the Gold Coast. Picture: Mike Batterham

Gold Coast Waterways Authority CEO Hal Morris said the project had been on hold for years until a viable way could be found to get rid of the river silt.

Now it would be pumped out of the river entrance and recycled at a new sediment management plant on Shipper Dr, he said.

The plant itself has created 26 jobs direct and indirectly in the area.

“The material being dredged is too fine and silty to use for beach nourishment or offshore disposal,” Mr Morris said.

The new sediment management plant at Coomera.

“Having a facility like this is a game changer...and dredging will also improve water flow for flood mitigation.”

Division 3 Councillor Cameron Caldwell said it was a “great day” for Coomera, with the project a “significant” investment in the local area.