Spit Gold Coast: Huge development site put on market

The first commercial development site to be released under The Spit Master Plan will be on the market in the New Year, ending a decade-long development drought.

THE first commercial development site to be released under The Spit Master Plan will be on the market in the New Year, potentially ending a decade-long development drought.

A 9858sqm site with a marine allotment next to Sunland’s Mariner’s Cove on the southern section of The Spit will be the first of several state-owned sites to go to the market.

Land has been made available at the southern end of The Spit. Picture: Jerad Williams.

MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR SPIT MASTER PLAN

State Development Minister Cameron Dick told The Bulletin: “Development on these sites will contribute to the revitalisation of The Spit and its resurgence as a premier destination on the Gold Coast, for locals and visitors.

“This will be the first undeveloped commercial site to be released on The Spit since the late 1990s, so this presents an excellent opportunity for investors to create a world-class precinct.

“There would be few sites in Australia where you have the possibility of building a development with a deepwater marina that is in walking distance to a surf beach.”

Under the Spit Master Plan, the area is to be developed for mixed-use retail, commercial, residential and short-term accommodation development.

“With the Gold Coast one of Australia’s great boating destinations, both in terms of ownership and tourism, a new marina that provides extra boat moorings and superyacht berths should attract strong demand,” Mr Dick said.

“The Department of State Development will select an experienced commercial property agent to handle the sale which we expect will attract interest from local, interstate and international buyers.

SPIT MASTER PLAN: FULL DETAILS OF WHAT’S PROPOSED

Land between Mariner's Cove and the Southport Yacht Club in Southport. Picture: Jerad Williams

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: $5 PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST 3 MONTHS

“In line with community expectations, any development on the site would be kept to a maximum of three storeys and 15 metres.”

Mr Dick said the first site release was scheduled for mid-January 2020, as part of a competitive process, with further land releases to roll out across the course of 2020.

“The delivery of The Spit master plan means we now have a cohesive vision for the area that will unlock private and public investment while ensuring the protection and enhancement of public open space,” Mr Dick said.

The site would be offered as a long-term lease with a marina allotment, he said.

The Spit Master Plan Bill presented to State Parliament this week will open up the current restrictive lease arrangements and commercial dealings for State-owned land.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick — development must be kept to three storeys. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

No freehold title to land in the master plan area will be granted to private interests.

“It is intended that some areas would be leased to the State under the Land Act either as perpetual or term leases if required to meet the objectives of the master plan,” Mr Dick told Parliament.

The Land Act currently restricts the use of the land if it was needed for public purposes.