Exposed: The key risk which could sink the Gold Coast’s newest tourist attraction

A new Gold Coast project is facing a key risk in terms of it being built on time, warns a new report. FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS

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THE new $5 million Gold Coast dive site project is facing a key risk in terms of it being built on time, warns a new report.

The “key risk” for the city’s newest tourist attraction is the council, which has received all other approvals, securing a Commonwealth Sea Dumping permit approval so the offshore structures could be put in place.

To meet the requirements for the State Government’s Growing Tourism Infrastructure (GTI) Funding conditions, the dive attraction needs to be completed by June.

“If the Sea Dumping permit is delayed there is a risk that the installation of the dive attraction will be delayed, and the completion will extend beyond the GTI deadline of June 2021,” a new report to council says.

Proposed location for the Gold Coast's world class dive attraction off The Spit.

“The May to June period is the preferred installation window, given these months historically have calmer seas and less storm activity, significantly reducing deployment risk and weather delay.”

Council officers in trying to reduce the risk have continued to liaise with the Federal Government, responding quickly to requests and holding video conferences.

Only last month Mayor Tom Tate wrote to Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley highlighting the importance of fast tracking final assessment of the sea dumping permit application.

Councillors at a transport committee meeting on Tuesday will be updated on the outcome of latest talks between the Commonwealth and the city.

Officers have recommended councillors back a public naming process, with the feedback to be provided back to council for a final decision on the dive attraction name.

The new dive precinct is favoured to be called Wonder Reef, and the report suggests diver fees for it should range from $25 to at least $8000 for diving companies.

The buoyant or floating reef is the first of its kind in Queensland with mapping showing it will be located 2.5km east of Philip Park at the Spit on a sandy sea bed.

The council under the lease conditions will be responsible for diver safety issues and protecting the reef structure and marine life.

The eight buoyant "sculptural reef flutes" as part of the Gold Coast's new dive attraction.

Decisions will need to be made on reducing “conflicting uses” like fishing and boating in the 500m by 500m precinct and restricting visitor numbers to appropriate levels through permitting requirements.

Divers and diving companies will be need appropriate qualifications with operators completing a tender process.

EARLIER:

THE Gold Coast’s new dive precinct is favoured to be called Wonder Reef and cost from $25 to at least $8000 to use.

The council will put the official name of the city’s new tourist attraction out for a “media competition” with residents able to rate options discussed by stakeholders and put forward their own ideas.

But a report to council, to be considered by the transport committee next Tuesday when councillors are updated on the $5 million project, shows Wonder Reef is frontrunner followed by Sea Spectra.

A concept image the for the dive attraction. The concept design comprises nine buoyant ‘sculptural reef flutes’ individually tethered to the sea floor by reinforced concrete and steel pyramids. Picture: Gold Coast City Council.

Officers confirmed the final design was completed in December and a fabricator starting work last month as a draft buoy mooring agreement was ticked off.

The buoyant or floating reef is the first of its kind and mapping shows it will be located 2.5km east of Philip Park at The Spit on a sandy seabed.

Key components will be nine sculptures towering about 20m above the ocean floor, four moorings for commercial tour operators and divers, and navigational markers to indicate the 500m by 500m precinct.

Another concept image. Picture: Gold Coast City Council.

ISM Manufacturing in Maryborough started work on steel components of the reef in February before those parts were moved to Hemmant in Brisbane.

“Fabrication is anticipated to take approximately four months,” the council report says. “The complete reef structures will be loaded onto a barge in the Brisbane River for deployment to the site. Installation is scheduled for completion in June 2021, subject to weather conditions and approvals.”

Meanwhile, officers are working on diver fees and a name for the attraction.

The council is waiting on the state government to sign off on a 50-year lease for the precinct because it currently fails to fall under local government jurisdiction.

Council would have full responsibility for the dive precinct, organising access and permitting arrangements and maintaining exclusive rights to manage bookings and collect fees.

Diving is popular on the Gold Coast and at the Seaway. Bull Sharks captured swimming near the Gold Coast Seaway. Photo: Ian Banks

The report says the proposed per diver permit fees, subject to final commercial considerations, were $25 for each private and club diver for a two-hour timeslot.

For commercial operators, it would be $10 for each diver, per dive excursion with a minimum fee of $8000, for up to 800 divers, to be paid annually.

“The permitting-booking system will be available on the dedicated dive attraction website, as part of the City’s We Are GC platform,” the report says.

The 'sculptural reef flutes as part of the Gold Coast dive attraction.

Council’s project team had engaged a local branding and design specialist to work on a suitable name.

“A powerful name, brand and visual identity is critical to the overall success of the dive attraction, including attaining international and national appeal,” the report says.

Key stakeholders, consultants and construction teams met at a workshop in November.

“Based on the workshop outcomes, two name options were developed — Wonder Reef and Sea Spectra. Further consultation with key stakeholders, including the artist Dive Industry Reference Group and Destination Gold Coast, determined Wonder Reef as the stronger and preferred name.”

Proposed location for the Gold Coast's world class dive attraction off The Spit.

The brand gave a “sense of wonder and awe that will be inspired by the unique floating dive attraction design”, appealed to divers and non-divers, could be easily pronounced and translated well for a range of languages including Japanese, Korean and Chinese, the report adds.

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