Gold Coast City Marina at Coomera to double its size with $100 million expansion

A GOLD Coast marina has announced a massive $100 million expansion which will see it double in size ahead of an expected big boom in boat visits to the region

The Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard at Coomera.

The Gold Coast’s biggest marina is about to embark on a $100 million expansion which will see it double in size in anticipation of a boom in big boat visits to the region.

Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM) - already the largest facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere - will develop a further 20 hectares at its Coomera base to occupy 37.5ha in total as part of its Stage 2 development.

Significantly, GC City Marina CEO Trenton Gay said the project included a major boost to its boat lift capacity, quadrupling from 250 tonnes to 1000.

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The marina’s re-fit and repair facility is growing each year, now home to in excess of 80 marine businesses, employing over 700 marine contractors, servicing vessels ranging from tinnies to 70-plus metre superyachts.

The Stage 2 site, located on Beattie Road was acquired by the Gay family more than 10 years ago - and Mr Gay told the Bulletin the Stage 2 development had involved five years of intense planning and research.

Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard Chief Executive Officer Trenton Gay. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Gay said the expansion was an important evolution for the Gold Coast’s ever-growing marine capabilities and the increasing influx of larger vessels to the region.

“This project is an exciting coup for the Gold Coast’s ever-expanding marine industry which is developing a global reputation for being a leading destination for marine re-fit and repair within the Asia Pacific region,” Mr Gay said.

“Submissions for this site have been lodged with authorities and once approvals are in place, construction for the first stage will be imminent,” he said.

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“Once completed, GC City Marina will be able to further accommodate the growing size of our domestic fleet and those coming to the South Pacific region including superyachts, wide beam catamarans and sailing yachts thanks to ground breaking new facilities including a 1000-tonne capacity lift and undercover refit and repair factories,” he said.

Since mid-last year an international on-water Customs port has been trialled at Southport Yacht Club and Mr Gay - instrumental in lobbying for the trial - said it meant “larger boats utilising our facilities”.

Gold Coast City Marina has hosted the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous for the past two years - attracting nearly 20 Superyachts this year - in a bid to promote the sector and the region as a hub for the floating palaces.