Gold Coast tourism leaders say new attractions critical for growth

GOLD Coast leaders say big new attractions are critical for the Australian tourism capital to keep growing visitor numbers — here is our top 10 wishlist.

Our future — GC 2.0 — is even more of a visitor’s paradise than the Australian tourism capital is now but city leaders say new attractions are critical for growth.

Senior tourism industry figures say the city needs a major new visitor attraction at least once every decade to renew interstate and international enthusiasm for the Gold Coast. It also acts as catalyst for tourism growth and spin-offs for existing attractions.

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In conjunction with Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan, the Gold Coast Bulletin has distilled a top 10 list of big-ticket gamechanging additions to the city landscape which will boost its tourism appeal significantly.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan: “The Gold Coast is about memories really — we want to deliver memories for tourists about their experiences and we need to create more unique experiences.” Photo by Richard Gosling

The list has: a cruise ship terminal; dive wreck; Hinterland cable car; network of walking tracks with national parks opened up to overnight stays; Star Entertainment Group’s $2 billion, seven-tower masterplan at its Broadbeach site; Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre expansion; commercialisation of pockets of Gold Coast beaches; boutique 10,000 to 15,000-person sporting/concert stadium; Songcheng theme park at Nerang; and red tape cut to aid foreign superyacht charters in Australian waters without hefty GST bond payments.

A $2b masterplan proposed by Star Entertainment Group at its Broadbeach site are on a Gold Coast Bulletin top 10 wishlist for the city’s tourism rich future.

“The Gold Coast is about memories really — we want to deliver memories for tourists about their experiences and we need to create more unique experiences,” Mr Donovan said.

“Gold Coast visitor numbers grew double the Queensland growth last year and that was terrrifc at eight per cent compared to four but we need to improve and refresh the offering.

“People say ‘What will the cruise ship terminal do?’. Well if we don’t have a cruise ship terminal, we’ll never know. But a big percentage of our traditional holiday makers to the Gold Coast are now taking cruises,” he said.

The proposed offshore Gold Coast cruise ship terminal favoured by Mayor Tom Tate. Photo: Supplied

The Gold Coast Bulletin’s Golden Age campaign reader survey found the city remains divided on the question of developing a cruise ship terminal and where, but is overwhelmingly behind a Hinterland cable car or gondola:

— 54 per cent of respondents are against a cruise ship terminal at The Spit, 46 per cent in support;

— 54 per cent are against a cruise ship terminal elsewhere, 46 per cent in support;

— 75 per cent of respondents support a Hinterland cable car, with 25 per cent against.

The Golden Age survey results also found:

— 18 per cent of respondents felt expansion of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre is a “high” priority;

Expansion of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibitions Centre is a “high” priority for 18 per cent of Bulletin Golden Age respondents. 34 per cent feel it is a “medium” priority. Picture: Jerad Williams

— 34 per cent feel it is a “medium” priority followed by 17 per cent (“low”), and 15 per cent each for both “very high” and “not needed”;

— Respondents feel priority for a new tourist attraction is “medium” (31 per cent), “very high” (24 per cent), “high” (23 per cent), “low” (14 per cent), “not needed” (nine per cent).

— Asked what a new attraction should be, respondents voted “eco-tourism” (33 per cent), “cruise ship terminal (25 per cent), “relaxation-based” (13 per cent), “adventure-based” (10 per cent), “in theme parks” (six per cent), “other” (five per cent), “casino” (four per cent), “new resorts” (four per cent).

Mr Donovan: “I have 12 things I think are critical to drive exponential growth we need going forward. We need to work on several of the 12 items I have at the same time.”

Destination Gold Coast top brass Dean Gould and Paul Donovan says big new attractions are critical for keeping the Gold Coast the forefront of repeat visitors’ minds. Picture Glenn Hampson

On top of the Bulletin top 10 wishlist, Mr Donovan wants the Spit masterplan being considered by State Government and light rail’s extension to Gold Coast Airport prioritised.

“We need the dive wreck, the cable car up into the Hinterland, the walking tracks, the cruise ship terminal, commercialisation of the beaches and we need to keep refreshing a lot of the things which have driven the Gold Coast like the theme parks and are critical.”

Debate about commercialisation of Gold Coast beaches is heating up. Picture: Kerry Parnell

The famed theme parks have had plenty of recent additions with major investment by Village Roadshow.

The operator of Sea World, MovieWorld and Wet ‘n’ Wild added its $30 million DC HyperCoaster — the southern hemisphere’s biggest — in September. The neighbouring new $35m TopGolf attraction is an Australian first.

Leonard Hebert (front left) has ridden the DC Rivals hypercoaster 819 times. He's going for a record and is very well known with MovieWorld staff. Photo by Richard Gosling

Gold Coast-based Federal Tourism Minister Steven Ciobo said the city as a tourism brand was still very strong in some markets but not others.

“We have incredible strength in the Middle East, parts of China but the world is getting smaller every day. There are point-to-point flights everywhere. It reinforces we absolutely must continue to invest in new infrastructure.

“My concern is we are seeing expenditure not growing,” Mr Ciobo said.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo: “My concern (on the Gold Coast) is we are not seeing expenditure growing. That’s a consequence of not having enough new product and it will be part of the challenge for the incoming Destination Gold Coast CEO. (AAP/Sean Davey)

“That’s a consequence of not having enough new product and it will be part of the challenge for the incoming Destination Gold Coast CEO.

“But there are really encouraging signs — hundreds of millions in investment in Pacific Fair, Star’s proposed investment in the billions and tens of millions by Village Roadshow in its theme parks — all will help boost spend in our city.”

Destination Gold Coast executive Dean Gould said an important reason to always “add something new is the Gold Coast relies on repeat visitors”.

“On average, Australians holiday two to three times a year. It is really important to spice up their experience of the Gold Coast.”

GOLD COAST 2.0 — Top 10

CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL

Status: Mayor’s offshore plan still live. Verdict: Awaiting Spit masterplan. Your move, State Government

A proposed offshore Gold Coast cruise ship terminal. Photo: Supplied

HINTERLAND CABLE CAR

Status: Great idea with proponents out there. Verdict: Strong greenie opposition. Don’t hold breath.

DIVE WRECK

Status: State Govt failed to bid for HMAS Darwin. Verdict: Understood Darwin ship has sailed for Tassie waters. Back to square one.

HMAS Darwin.

STAR’S $2B MASTERPLAN

Status: Star committed if competitive environment stays same. Verdict: Ball in State Govt court on second casino.

The Star Gold Coast Masterplan Development (viewed from the West) in Broadbeach. Star has bold plans for five new towers on the site which is already home to the original Star complex and Darling suite hotel. Tower 1 starts construction in August with four proposed to come after that over the next decade.

COMMERCIAL BEACH HUBS

Status: City leaders support strict, high-end trials. Verdict: Watch this space.

CUT SUPERYACHT CHARTERS RED TAPE

Status: Tourism Minister Ciobo says Federal bill to change the law is ready. Verdict: But Federal Labor public comments so far suggest no go any time soon.

BOUTIQUE STADIUM

Status: Gaining momentum with city leaders. Verdict: Needs a site, funding.

WALKING TRACK NETWORK

Status: Eco-tourism leader Brett Godfrey made Tourism & Events Qld chair to get it moving, bipartisan support by state politicians. Verdict: Plenty of work.

CONVENTION CENTRE EXPANSION

Status: Business case with State Government. Verdict: No brainer, green light ASAP.

The Australasian Real Estate Conference at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach. Picture: Jerad Williams

SONGCHENG THEME PARK

Status: Chinese Govt has greenlighted Songcheng developers doing a $600m Nerang venture with a ski park, animal attractions and adventure world. Verdict: Plenty of hoops yet, perfect fit for theme park capital.

Artist impression of Songcheng Group’s skiing, animal and adventure theme park at Carrara.