Gold Coast gets Australia’s best superyacht facility in time for America’s Cup

THE Gold Coast is get Australia’s largest superyacht berthing facility operating in time for next year’s the America’s Cup in a massive tourism boost for the Glitter Strip.

THE Gold Coast is get Australia’s largest superyacht berthing facility operating in time for next year’s America’s Cup in New Zealand.

State Development Minister Kate Jones will today announce the $9 million project was the first initiative to be backed through the $25 million Growing Tourism Infrastructure fund for shovel-ready projects as part of an economic recovery strategy.

Site of a proposed superyacht berth in the Southport Broadwater as proposed in the Spit Masterplan.

Ms Jones will detail an immediate $1 million funding boost which takes the Government’s contribution to $2.87 million.

“We understand that to get the economy moving, we must back shovel-ready projects,” Ms Jones said.

“Because Queenslanders have done such a great job fighting COVID-19, we can now focus on our economic recovery. Our priority is creating jobs and getting shovels in the ground.”

Minister for Innovation and the Tourism Industry Kate Jones reveals the Qld government are calling for interest from global operators in a second Gold Coast gaming resort, at a press conference at Q1. . Picture Glenn Hampson

Ms Jones said the facility at Southport Yacht Club would have the capacity to handle superyachts as large as 135m, or multiple smaller vessels.

Either one longer vessel or two of 80m in length could be refuelled and repaired at the facility, which will pump an estimated $20 million into the economy annually.

The Minister revealed the facility would create around 30 jobs during construction.

Once planning approvals are ticked off, construction could start as soon as the end of this month and be completed by December. Superyachts headed south to the Cup could visit here first.

“This will be delivered in time for the America’s Cup in New Zealand in March 2021,” a government insider said. “Currently, 150 superyachts are already booked and they will all be floating past.”

MORE NEWS

Collapsed Gold Coast law firm leaves $3m debt trail

REVEALED: Gold Coast's best personal trainer

Which Coast libraries are reopening

Ms Jones said: “The marine industry pumps millions of dollars into the Gold Coast’s economy every year. This multi-million-dollar infrastructure will allow us to take that to the next level.

“This is an industry that has huge growth potential on the Coast. We want to support the marine industry to grow to create more jobs for locals.”

“This project is vital to rebuilding the Gold Coast economy post COVID-19 and will establish the Gold Coast as an Asia-Pacific superyacht hub.

“Once complete, this hub will pump an extra $2.9 million into the local tourism industry every year.”

Mayor Tom Tate said the addition of a superyacht berth perfectly complemented the region’s natural allure as an international tourism destination.

Super yachts at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The Gold Coast is now the number one superyacht destination in the country and the economic value this delivers is significant,” he said.

“The council was more than happy to also further support the project with an additional $400,000 in funding to add to our previous $2 million commitment.”

Southport Yacht Club general manager Brett James said the club was looking forward to starting construction.

“The new berthing facility will create more local jobs across the food and beverage, tourism and services sectors and will be supported by our region’s world-class capabilities in vessel repair, refit and maintenance,” Mr James said.