THE State Government is expected to tick off on a $2.5 billion superyacht terminal and marine precinct for
The Spit after years of delays on plans for the area.. much to the dismay of environmentalists and greenies rooting for preservation of its natural surroundings.
Some feel that the project would be a huge boost for the tourism and marine industries on the Gold Coast and will include facilities for up to 30 superyachts and 400 recreational and fishing vessels, plus hotels and commercial developments.
The origins of The Spit (and no, the area is not a phlegmatic haven for the chinese...) date back to the years 1897 – 1898 when a series of gales and high seas finally broke through a narrow stretch of land called Jumpinpin on Stradbroke Island. The breakthrough created a new sea passage into Moreton Bay. Stradbroke Island was divided in two (North & South), changing the ebb and flow of tides through the southern reaches of Moreton Bay.
The impact on Southport’s environment was remarkable. Southport’s rocky foreshore had previously been exposed to open seas. After the breakthrough, tidal action eroded sand from the southern tip of South Stradbroke resulting eventually in the surveyed township site of Moondarewa disappearing entirely by the 1940s.
There is only one tender each for the northern and southern sections of The Spit and each consortium of companies has been put through a rigorous process in the leadup to a May announcement. Originally there were six bids for the two projects.
Last year, the Deep Blue consortium, which includes Gold Coast City Marina and Leighton, tendered for the northern development area and Broadwater International consortium, including Watpac, tendered for the southern development area.
The development is expected to create hundreds of construction jobs and about 200 full-time jobs when it is operational, with members of the marine industry saying the area would be transformed to look similar to Monaco and other luxury boating locations around the world.
So..it looks like another good reason for the super-rich to head over the coast and park their super yachts here. This brings back memories of my first experience on a super-yacht.
Yes, I had the privilege of treading on one before and it was a very nice one with a rather cute name called "The White Rabbit" belonging to one of the richer folks in Singapore. It had lifts serving all 3 levels, a bar, kitchen, lounge,
captain's room, lots of bedrooms, dining room for about 12, a kitchen with its own crew of chefs and waiters, an entertainment room, probably a pool somewhere ..the works. 5-star on the waters, quite an eye-opener for bumpkins like me... nice... hmmm, I wonder if any possibility to set foot on one again right here on the Gold Coast?
THE State Government is expected to tick off on a $2.5 billion superyacht terminal and marine precinct for The Spit after years of delays on plans for the area.. much to the dismay of environmentalists and greenies rooting for preservation of its natural surroundings.
Some feel that the project would be a huge boost for the tourism and marine industries on the Gold Coast and will include facilities for up to 30 superyachts and 400 recreational and fishing vessels, plus hotels and commercial developments.
The origins of The Spit (and no, the area is not a phlegmatic haven for the chinese...) date back to the years 1897 – 1898 when a series of gales and high seas finally broke through a narrow stretch of land called Jumpinpin on Stradbroke Island. The breakthrough created a new sea passage into Moreton Bay. Stradbroke Island was divided in two (North & South), changing the ebb and flow of tides through the southern reaches of Moreton Bay.
The impact on Southport’s environment was remarkable. Southport’s rocky foreshore had previously been exposed to open seas. After the breakthrough, tidal action eroded sand from the southern tip of South Stradbroke resulting eventually in the surveyed township site of Moondarewa disappearing entirely by the 1940s.
There is only one tender each for the northern and southern sections of The Spit and each consortium of companies has been put through a rigorous process in the leadup to a May announcement. Originally there were six bids for the two projects.
Last year, the Deep Blue consortium, which includes Gold Coast City Marina and Leighton, tendered for the northern development area and Broadwater International consortium, including Watpac, tendered for the southern development area.
The development is expected to create hundreds of construction jobs and about 200 full-time jobs when it is operational, with members of the marine industry saying the area would be transformed to look similar to Monaco and other luxury boating locations around the world.
So..it looks like another good reason for the super-rich to head over the coast and park their super yachts here. This brings back memories of my first experience on a super-yacht.
Yes, I had the privilege of treading on one before and it was a very nice one with a rather cute name called "The White Rabbit" belonging to one of the richer folks in Singapore. It had lifts serving all 3 levels, a bar, kitchen, lounge,
captain's room, lots of bedrooms, dining room for about 12, a kitchen with its own crew of chefs and waiters, an entertainment room, probably a pool somewhere ..the works. 5-star on the waters, quite an eye-opener for bumpkins like me... nice... hmmm, I wonder if any possibility to set foot on one again right here on the Gold Coast?
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