Gold Coast Spit development: Southport Yacht Club says progress must happen now

The Spit has been heralded as the next major tourist attraction for the Gold Coast following the release of the Master Plan but some stakeholders say time for development is running out.

THE SPIT is being heralded as the Gold Coast’s next big tourist attraction after State Government unveiled its vision.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said the master plan when complete would establish tourism growth.

Mr Donovan is out of the country and has not yet seen the final draft released at the weekend but was part of the process.

”A master plan is a huge step forward for the Spit, it is an area that is set to be used by both residents and tourists in the future,” he said.

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John Paul Langbroek. Pics Adam Head

LNP’s Member for Surfers Paradise John Paul Langbroek who had previously called for a master plan said it was up to the Government to deliver on its vision come state Budget time.

“No one expects it to be done overnight but I am concerned it might be a smoke screen. We need to know it has a future.

“It is about enhancing an area that is nearly 35 years old and refining it. Now let’s see some backing for it.”

A major feature is a new super yacht berthing facility near the existing Southport Yacht Club.

Club president Brett James said while supportive of the process, building of the berth needs to be first priority to capture dollars set to flow from the 2021 America’s Cup in New Zealand.

“We understand it is a long process and are glad it has gotten to this point but this is something we have been working on well before the Spit master plan,” Mr James said.

“We started three years ago and are at a point where we are ready.”

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Brett James at Southport Yacht Club for a story on the Broadwater.Photo by Richard Gosling

The club has plans to establish a 170-metre super yacht berth in order to cater to 80m yachts and boutique cruise ships.

“We are turning away at least one super yacht a month which a berth would allow us to take,” Mr James said.

“We are ready to go tourism wise, the facility would of course bring more people. A single boutique cruise ship can hold up to 350 people,” he said.

According to Mr James potential tourists are bypassing the Gold Coast for Cairns which has the facilities to cater to the larger boats.

The Premier at the Spit Master Plan launch on the Gold Coast.

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“We just need the process to speed up a little bit,” he said. “Our plans don’t impact on anything else in the master plan so we shouldn't have to wait.

“We can also fund it so there should be no reason why we can’t get started soon. The approvals are going to take as long as the build. “

Currently the club holds the second biggest off shore sailing race in the country, just behind the Sydney to Hobart.

The berth would also allow all the competitors in the race to line up in the same place.

“It would be a great draw for the community,” he said.