Exclusive: State Government to go to the market to lease Carter’s Basin at The Spit

The State Government is going to the market in the next few weeks for a tender on one of the Gold Coast’s best vacant land sites. See where and how much.

The state government will go to market within weeks with one of the Gold Coast’s best vacant land sites at The Spit.

A tender process will be announced for a lease on Carter’s Basin, home to the Gold Coast Fishermen’s Co-Op. It is also known as Village North under The Spit Master Plan. The city council is expected to oversee the lease ensuring certainty for the future of the Co-op and potentially marine operators vacating Mariner’s Cove further south.

The latest development opportunity occurs as the Gold Coast Waterways Authority faces heat from residents about reducing carparking at the northern end of The Spit next to the Seawall.

An industry source said: “There is a tender going to be leased to create long-term certainty for the Fishing Co-op and Mariner’s Cove boat operators. Council will not apply for it but support it, by doing help with the heavy lifting. The only question is do the Fishing Co-op and the tourism operators bid to be their own landlords, or work with a development group.”

An outline of the State Government site to hit the market in Village Centre North on the Spit.

A City source confirmed the government would start the process in mid-December.

“They will appoint the suitable tender then handover to council to manage it. We have no doubt the marine tourism operators and Fishing Co-op will get a guernsey.

“There may be room for an AJ Hackett (style tourism development with a bungy jump), it will be a tight fit.”

The bungee park has been pitched for Philip Park by the international operator but is yet to be approved or rejected.

About $20 million will required to build a car park and complete a pontoon for boats. City leaders are privately pondering who will foot the bill.

“It’s a dust bowl. It will be managed by council. It’s Crown land. It’s a complex one. You have nothing there,” the source said.

The Bulletin understands several developers are considering tendering, with other builders pushing forward plans.

Developer Tim Gordon is preparing to build his $300m Mantaray Marina and Residences. Melbourne-based developers Pelligra Group and Giannarelli Group have a green light for a $400m Ritz Carlton Hotel. Makris Group last week was given the tick by council to built its $500m Marina Mirage redevelopment.

Entrance to the Gold Coast Fishermen's Co-Op at The Spit on the Gold Coast.

Main Beach Association (MBA) members at this month’s AGM called for a separate master plan for Carter’s Basin before any decision is made to go to market.

The MBA said the Government must accept there needs to be “a supply of affordable tourism product on The Spit rather than have Village North become an exclusive enclave for the very rich”. Members also called on the government to recognise the Fishermen’s Co-op was the last such Co-op in Queensland and must be protected for its heritage value and important contribution to the tourism along with domestic and export economies.

A State Development spokesman said the department has identified a parcel of state “land and water” in Carter’s Basin and was preparing to release it to market to provide opportunities for marine tourism businesses.

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 department is working with the City of Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Waterways Authority on the best way to deliver a commercial marina, taking into account the needs of all stakeholders and existing users of Carter’s Basin,” the spokesman said. “The site release will seek development that responds to the outcomes envisaged in The Spit Master Plan. These include reorganised and renewed facilities associated with the fishing fleet and a centrally located logistics area.”

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