The Boat Works in Coomera officially opens $100m marina and announces further development

Instead of jetting off to Lake Coma and New York, the wealthy are opting for “a luxury safe haven” right here on the Gold Coast as they ride out the COVID-19 pandemic. SUBSCRIBE TO READ MORE.

Instead of jetting off to Lake Coma and New York, the wealthy are opting for “a luxury safe haven” to take on the Gold Coast waterways.

Boaties and traders are celebrating after Mayor Tom Tate officially cut the ribbon of a $100 million marina at The Boat Works in Coomera on Thursday.

Alexander Marine Australia managing director Todd Holzapfel, who has been a tenant at The Boat Works for 10 years, said the million dollar expansion five months ago led to an injection of sales from those ditching overseas holidays for domestic travel on water.

Mayor Tom Tate, Deputy Donna Gates and Boatworks boss Tony Longhurst at the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Boatworks opening. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“From Cape York to Sydney – we have some of the best waterways in the world and customers are starting to understand that,” he said.

“As the crisis gets worse globally, people are staying local and buying an up-market unit and a safe haven for the water.”

Mr Holzapfel said his Ocean Alexander yacht built in Taiwan was “hot property”.

The million dollar upgrade included superyacht sheds, berths and hard stands, and a 300 tonne boat lift.

The sun came out for Tony Longhurst at the official Boatworks opening. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Boat Works owner Tony Longhurst, an ex-V8 star and son of Dreamworld founder John Longhurst, said a surge of traffic after reducing rates of berths and sheds to survive COVID-19 has led to a stage three expansion for superyacht service offerings.

“Without demand, we didn’t want to commit to start with, but this frenzy has turned into an additional $30 million development of marine workshops, retail facilities and high bay refit sheds,” he said.