Dive figure backs Gold Coast dive site as Mayor Tom Tate mulls extra funding

THE push to sink a retired warship off the Gold Coast is gaining momentum but city leaders are pulling out all the stops to make sure we get a deal soon.

THE Gold Coast City Council is set to increase its financial support for a proposed dive site off The Spit as support for the tourism project grows.

One of the Gold Coast’s leading dive figures has thrown his weight behind the push to sink the HMAS Darwin, joining political and tourism industry bosses in calling for the retired warship to be brought here permanently.

OUR NEXT TOURISM ATTRACTION

HMAS Darwin was retired last year (AAP Image/Lucy Hughes Jones)

Diving the Gold Coast boss Ian Banks has more than 40 years of experience and said a dive attraction could provide a welcome shot in the arm for the tourism industry.

“A ship would be great, though of course it depends on the style we get,” he said.

“It is a great idea and one we definitely need for the Coast.

“It would do wonders for the dive industry and even if rough seas prevent you from getting out, at least people will still be able to go in the Seaway.”

TATE: WHY I WANT A DIVE SITE

Gold Coast diver and adventurer Ian Banks. Pic Wayne Jones

Mayor Tom Tate, speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin from the US, said he was prepared to mobilise extra funds to commit to the project in a bid to sweeten the deal for the Gold Coast and secure an agreement for the ship before the Commonwealth Games.

At least $1 million has already been set aside for the project and Cr Tate said he was prepared to put more forward.

“I would say that significant investment will be forthcoming form the council and I have money set aside for this,” he said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate Picture: Jerad Williams.

“There is more than enough in there and poetically I’ve already spoken with the tourism minister Kate Jones and she and I are hand in glove on this one to put our hands up for it.

“This will be different from when we (unsuccessfully) bid on the HMAS Tobruk — all the analysis has been done and the environmental needs have been checked off.”

Federal Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo has also backed the project.

As revealed last month, council modelling suggests it would immediately add $5.4 million in direct and indirect economic benefits to the city.

GOLD COAST DIVE SITE GETS POWERFUL BACKERS

The ship would be sunk at a depth of 30m. Pic Glenn Campbell

The modelling, completed in 2016, suggested it would immediately create 73 full time-equivalent jobs, with the flow-on to bring in another 81 positions and a further $6.1 million within three years.

The Darwin, an Adelaide-class guided missile frigate, served in the Persian Gulf, East Timor and the Solomon Islands during its 33-year career before being decommissioned this month.

A final site has not been named but it is expected to be 2.3km off The Spit at a depth of 30m.

The depth was selected to allow both experienced and novice divers to chance to use the wreck.