New laws for Wonder Reef: Fishing banned at new Gold Coast dive attraction as boaties excluded from tourist precinct

The Gold Coast City Council are considering bringing in a number of new laws when the dive site at the Spit opens. FULL DETAILS >>>

FISHING and anchoring a boat will be banned at the city’s new dive site, under new laws about to be created by the Gold Coast City Council.

A draft version of the laws has appeared in an updated report to city hall. It was considered by council’s governance committee last Thursday and will be voted on by all councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

The new law sets out the following conditions in the public dive precinct off The Spit:

● You cannot park any vessel by anchoring it, or interfere with a buoy mooring;

● Must not interfere or deface, damage or remove any material from the structure;

● Cannot use, cast or deploy any fishing apparatus, take marine life, or discard any substance or item in the water;

● Access is only to holders of a dive precinct permit and commercial dive tour operators, under an agreement with the council that will be the subject of a tender process.

● Any ship using a buoy mooring must be insured.

● Each person entering under a dive precinct permit indemnifies and “holds harmless” the local government and the State of Queensland against all liability, loss, costs and expenses, from any injury or property damage.

● A boat may only attach to a specified buoy mooring.

A council report says extensive stakeholder engagement has been undertaken with the local dive industry, commercial and recreational fishing industry, boating organisations, statutory authorities, universities, marine scientists, tourism operators, the relevant local cultural heritage body and residents.

“Due to the nature of the proposed subordinate local law and how it may affect community sentiment, both positively or negatively, it is proposed that a comprehensive community engagement management plan is developed to ensure an open and transparent consultation process is undertaken,” the report said.

Council is to embark on a 21-day public consultation period which includes opportunities for submissions on its Have Your Say website.

Wonder Reef was installed in early August about 2.5km off Philip Park, the council report said.

“Following six to eight months of monitoring and reporting to satisfy conditions of approval, diving is planned to open to the public in early 2022,” officers said.

Mayor Tom Tate observing some of the installation of the new Gold Coast dive site. Picture Glenn Hampson

The council manages the tourist attraction under a 50-year term lease with the Queensland government.

The world’s first artificial floating reef is expected to attract 160,000 visitors a year and deliver $32m over a decade to the Gold Coast economy.

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