Mariner’s Cove redevelopment: Surprise 11th hour plan to save Coast’s $100m industry revealed

Two 11th-hour rescue plans are being floated to save the Gold Coast’s $100m marine tourism industry, with lobbying for new competing sites on either side of the Broadwater.

Two 11th-hour rescue plans are being floated to save the Gold Coast’s $100 million-a-year marine tourism industry, with lobbying for sites competing on either side of the Broadwater.

The State Government and council are being furiously lobbied to fast-track planning at Carter’s Basin on The Spit - or Howard’s Landing near the Broadwater Parklands.

The sites are potential saviours of at least 30 marine tourism businesses facing “extinction by eviction” after the Giannarelli and Pelligra groups lodged a development application for a superyacht marina and resort at Mariner’s Cove, the Bulletin revealed in April.

Proponents of both Carter’s Basin and Howard’s Landing claim to have expressions of interest from a majority of marine tourism businesses under threat.

Punters on the weekend enjoyed last drinks at Fisherman’s Wharf at Mariner’s Cove - its closure comes as planning for the area’s $480 million Ritz Carlton hotel takes off.

The Mariner's Cove marine boat dispute. New moorings have to be found for boaties.

The Staerk Government and Media Group (SGM) - on behalf of the Main Beach Marine Tourism Association representing 30 Mariner’s Cove tenants - in a submission to the State Government is critical of the Howard’s Landing site.

“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,” the SGM submission says.

“Site approval and works are also long and unpredictable. Most importantly, Howard’s Landing is not located in a recognised tourist area, near to hotels where the tourists who frequent these businesses are located and access.”

The Mariner's Cove tourism boat dispute has sparked plans for a new site for moorings at Carter's Basin north on The Spit.

The report says the western Broadwater site approval will be expensive and protracted.

But Howards Landing proponent Leon du Plessis from Aqua Adventures - on a site tour to explain his development plans - said his solution was quicker and could be ready by Christmas.

“I’m not opposed to the (Spit) option, I’m just saying it’s not practical,” he said.

“There is so much focus drawn to that, they are very vocal, they’ve spent a lot of money and lot of time making a lot of noise. We are just keeping our mouths shut and plodding along and doing our thing.”

The Mariner's Cove tourism boat dispute has led to plans for new moorings to be developed at Howard's Landing on the western side of the Broadwater.

Mr du Plessis said it would have been better to focus on one site so a home could be found faster for boaties.

“We’ve broken it into two stages,” he said of Howard’s Landing. “The first stage is the council giving us owner’s consent for some of the parking that’s here, because we don’t have our own parking. They have indicated they will probably do so but it’s not official,” he said.

“That’s one piece of the puzzle outstanding in us lodging the DA for 22 berths. If we can get stage one in place before the guys (boaties) get displaced, it gives an option for us to accommodate to load their people, a staging area where they can rebunker, even if they have to be on swing marines in the Broadwater until we finish for the bigger development.”

Mr du Plessis estimates if the DA is successful the wharf can start accommodating Mariner’s Cove operators within two to four months.

“I believe there is a lot of goodwill in council and the State Government to make this happen,” he said.

In the meantime, referral agencies are considering a 50-year extension lease on land and water.

“Everybody has responded positively, we are just waiting on council to respond,” Mr du Plessis said.

Fiona Woodward and Leon du Plessis at Howard’s Landing. Photo: Kathleen Skene

Only three of the operators at Mariner’s Cove had yet to sign up to Howards Landing, he claimed.

“Everybody else has signed with us. We are now negotiating with them to do an agreement to lease, which means they will actually commit when we are ready, they will move over here,” he said.

Mr du Plessis said he had commitments for 85 berths and his plans were for a 116-berth marina with the bigger boats serviced on the outside berths.

SGM says it is seeking planning advice along with further consultation with council and the other relevant stakeholders to agree on the ideal design for a rival Carter’s Basin project.

The MBMTA had already provided preliminary designs to facilitate these discussions.

“The design can also accommodate the Hopo Ferry, and up to 150 marine tourism berths (including Superyachts if desired) at maximum capacity, while also providing improved and expanded facilities for the (existing) Fishermen’s Co-op,” the SGM report says.

SGM, represented by Graham Staerk, says it has mayoral support and was seeking the landowner’s permission, from the Department of Natural Resources to apply for a $15 million Federal Grant to contribute to the development of a community-owned marine tourism hub.

Spit Master Plan documents show the site should be a “market and series of smaller retail pavilions (that) provide an outlet for fresh seafood and other produce and low key dining opportunities”.

Buildings would “celebrate the rich and dynamic maritime history of the Gold Coast” including the story of the creation of The Spit.

Leader of the Main Beach Association, Sue Donovan at Mariners Cove. She’s unhappy that the city's marine tourism industry is under threat. Picture Glenn Hampson

A community group source said: “If you look at the Spit Master Plan directive for Carter’s Basin, marine-based tourism is not in the plan at all. Trawlers and the Fishing Co-op were promised they won’t be going anywhere.

“It was to be for San Francisco wharf-style retail and dining, with backpackers and short-term

(accommodation) on a second level. The Government would have rocks in their heads to remove the trawler fleet.”

Main Beach Association leader Sue Donovan believes both sites being put forward to rehome the city’s under-threat marine tourism business have merit - but time is critical.

“Like the Mayor and council, the MBA is doing everything it can to support the 33 marine-based tourism businesses that have operated out of Mariner’s Cove for many years. With the recent eviction from the site of at least two of the businesses, this is a matter of great urgency,” she said.

“We believe that the options of both Howards Landing and Carters Basin have merit — and disadvantages. The State Government needs to take the long term view with the Carter’s Basin lease.

“For the sake of the future of both the tourism businesses and the Fishermen’s Co-op, they should forget selling off the lease to the highest bidder and instead work with them to develop Carter’s Basin as an authentic attraction that would be unique to the Gold Coast.”

A render image of the proposed six star hotel, which is subject to DA approval.

Giannarelli Group boss Dion Giannarelli said he had no preference over the future location of the tourism boating industry but said the Broadwater was critical to the future of the city’s tourism economy.

“The current tenants are welcome to stay as long as possible while our planning process continues but in terms of location, the options presented provide the current operators with a preference. Pelligra and Giannarelli Group very much wants to see their ongoing success,” he said.

Dion Giannarelli, Ross Pelligra and Dean Giannarelli at the Ritz-Carlton Gold Coast announcement,

“Main Beach Superyacht Marina will deliver a new concept in Australian luxury, offering six-star, white glove amenity in one of Australia’s prime nautical destinations and burgeoning luxury lifestyle precincts – further committing ourselves to the Gold Coast.

“Our significant investment in infrastructure on the Gold Coast that will create new jobs and be an important part of Queensland Tourism’s plans to drive domestic and international expenditure to an estimated $34 billion per annum by 2027.

“The development will cater to a broad clientele of locals, domestic and international visitors, adding another dimension to the Gold Coast’s thriving cultural scene and we will be adding a range of retail and food and beverage outlets to the precinct – ranging from casual cafes to contemporary restaurants and bars.”

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