Howard’s Landing: Proposed location for new Gold Coast tourism marina revealed

Backers for a giant new marina which would replace Mariner’s Cove say it will inject nearly $140m into the economy. New plans reveal its proposed location. FIND OUT WHERE

Backers for a giant new marina in Southport to replace Mariner’s Cove say it will inject nearly $140m into the economy.

Plans have been submitted to the Gold Coast City Council by Leon du Plessis’ Aqua Adventures to build the 21-berth marina at Howard’s Landing in the northern section of the Broadwater Parklands.

Mariner’s Cove is on the verge of being redeveloped to become the $480m Ritz Carlton, sparking a dispute which forced many tourism operators based there to leave.

The planning report lodged with council says the project would save the tourism sector from disaster.

Howard's Landing. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The intent of the proposal is to fill a large potential void for the marine tourism industry, by accommodating as many tourism operators from the site as possible,” the report reads.

“That is, the proposal comes on the back of a very real challenge and risk for the Gold Coast marine tourism industry with Mariners Cove proposed for redevelopment and displacing 32-plus key marine tourism operators with no provision made to accommodate them back into the redeveloped marina.

Plans for the redevelopment and expansion of Howard's Landing to create a new marina.

“The damage to Gold Coast economy is an impending threat, standing to lose nearly $71.7m and 248 full time equivalent jobs per year and further loss of growth in this industry estimated at up to $136.7m and 477 full time equivalent jobs per year.”

Howard’s Landing was one of two locations the state government and council were lobbied earlier this year to allow for a new marina home for 30 marine tourism businesses facing “extinction by eviction” after the Giannarelli and Pelligra groups lodged its Ritz Carlton plans.

The other was Carter’s Basin on The Spit.

However, Howard’s Landing was criticised by The Staerk Media Group (SGM) – on behalf of the Main Beach Marine Tourism Association which represents 30 Mariner’s Cove tenants.

Howard's Landing area which will be redeveloped to become a giant marina to replace Mariner's Cove if council ticks off on the plans. Picture Glenn Hampson

In a submission to the state government it wrote: “The site is too shallow for many operators such as sailing yachts, it is very exposed to bad weather, has no parking for customers unless massive and complex stormwater works are undertaken and community-opposed dredging is completed.”

Area councillor Brooke Patterson said a refuelling station would be included in the project.

“This is an impact assessable application which aims to create a home for our local water-based small businesses who have been left high and dry,” she said.

“There will be much technical assessment to consider, including impact on sea grass and the wider marine environment and advice from the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.”

Councillor Brooke Patterson . Picture Glenn Hampson

Mayor Tom Tate previously intervened into the debate and said council would move too fast-track any new marina development to ensure the tourism businesses survived.

“I feel for the operators who provide a very important offering for the city’s tourism market, but council has no authority to intervene in a commercial lease situation,” he said earlier this year.

“If a suitable alternative site can be identified, I’m sure council would make it a priority to progress any application we receive.”

The Ritz Carlton project was approved by the council in August but is yet to begin construction.

It will have its own floating beach club alongside more than 5000sq m of restaurants and bars and a superyacht marina.