Gold Coast Fishing Co-op fears losing 50-year home as developers circle The Spit

The famed Gold Coast fishing co-op which sells seafood direct to the public says it faces extinction. See the development plans they claim are responsible - and the state response

Queensland’s last remaining fishing co-op, the trawler fleet at The Spit on the Gold Coast which sells seafood direct to the public, says it’s under threat from developers.

The fishermen along with community groups fear the State Government, putting Carter’s Basin up for tender, will want the highest bidder for the prime commercial site south of Sea World and squeeze them out.

But State Development Minister Grace Grace is adamant the boats will continue to be able to sell seafood.

The Fishermen’s Co-op, after operating more than 50 years, says it intends to fight for its future, and this week will ramp up its campaign after 1200 customers backed its petition in three days. Premier Steven Miles is to be targeted by campaigners with posters being created warning “don’t let Labor trash our trawlers”.

A map showing the extent of the seabed lease and land available as part of redevelopment of Carter's Basin on The Spit at the Gold Coast.

State Development on January 22 will announce tenders for a “commercial marine opportunity” at Carter’s Basin which it says will “accommodate the local fishing fleet” but include “marine tourism outcomes” within a mixed-use development.

Fishermen’s Co-op spokesperson Richard Hamilton, owner of Spanner Crab boat Dubrovnik, said the new marina would include operators displaced from Mariners Cove.

“The Queensland Government thinks it can solve that problem by squeezing us all into a reduced site at Carter’s Basin,” Mr Hamilton said.

Gold Coast Fishermen's Co-op spokesperson Richard Hamilton.

Numerous talks with the State Government during the past few years had resulted in no genuine consultation or practical outcomes, he added.

“They haven’t listened to what we need. They just tell us what they want,” Mr Hamilton said.

“In recent talks with the Department of State Development we made it clear their current

plans for Carter’s Basin fail to provide a viable future for the fishing fleet. The trawlers and the export-generating tuna boats that make up the Co-op are all family- owned primary producers.

“Unfortunately, Premier Miles’ vision for The Spit seems to be miles of elite resorts, leaving insufficient room for small marine-based businesses.

“Over a quarter of a million customers – locals and tourists – buy seafood from our trawlers every year. They are horrified at the prospect of the Co-op being forced out.”

Tourists and residents lining up at Carter's Basin at The Spit on the Gold Coast for the Fishermen's Co-op sale of seafood to the public.

Tenders for the Carters Basin site close on March 4. The land area is 7150sqm and the seabed section, outlined on a map, is 20,985sqm.

“The area currently used by the fishing fleet - a wharf and 18 vessels on nine

pontoons - will basically be turned into a base for marine tourism,” Mr Hamilton said.

“That’s just not going to work. As well, customers purchasing seafood off the side of trawlers need to be able to park. Yet the Government’s plan would reduce the area available for parking.”

Ms Grace said the Government had acted on advice there were limited options for new Coast marinas and Carter’s Basin was the best location.

“The Queensland Government has spent years consulting widely about the development of The Spit. Boats selling fresh seafood to Queenslanders will not change,” she said.

“The tender will take into account the needs of all the stakeholders, including the fishing co-op, while balancing the financial, economic and community outcomes for all Queenslanders.”

Mr Hamilton said the Co-op’s current two year lease would run out in April.

Gold Coast Fishermen's Co-op spokesperson Richard Hamilton.

“Should the Queensland Government persist with their plan to sell off the lease to a

developer, the lucrative tuna boat industry will be forced to relocate to NSW,” he said.

The Government is being asked to put on hold the tender for part of Carter’s Basin until a more realistic alternative can be found, continue consultation with stakeholders and accommodate the displaced marine tourism operators at the site’s northern part.

Follow @PaulWestonGC