The Palaszczuk Government will provide $2 million to help deliver a superyacht berth at the Southport Yacht Club to create more jobs in the rapidly growing superyacht industry.
Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the funding was part of Government's $60 million investment in The Spit master plan, which supports job-creating projects that will boost tourism opportunities and improve public amenity for the whole community.
"The Southport Yacht Club (SYC) estimates this $7.7 million superyacht berth project, to be located adjacent to Jack Gordon Park, could see up to 25 jobs created during the construction phase, with many more created as a result of the project.
"The new berth will allow the SYC to cater for more, and larger boats, which opens up the Gold Coast to some of the world's largest and most luxurious yachts.
Mr Dick said as long as the project met all approval requirements, superyachts could be docking at the facility by October 2020.
"This would mean the Gold Coast would be able to capitalise on superyachts leaving Japan after the Tokyo Olympics before heading to New Zealand for the America's Cup.
"Superyacht passengers spend more when they are in town. They have a much higher onshore spend on food and beverages, dining and other experiences so we expect to see this development stimulate flow-on jobs in other parts of the Gold Coast."
The Queensland Government's Superyacht Strategy Champion, Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the industry will be further supported by the Palaszczuk Government's Superyacht Strategy and the recent launch of the second round of the Superyacht Industry Development Fund.
"We want Queensland to be recognised as the key superyacht hub of the Asia-Pacific," Mr Healy said.
"To achieve this, the Superyacht Industry Development Fund is supporting the marine industry to build global relationships to attract more superyachts.
"This funding will help the industry promote all the advantages Queensland offers the luxury vessel market including a talented workforce, excellent capabilities and infrastructure, and a sensational location for superyacht cruising.
Southport Yacht Club CEO Brett James said the berth represented a huge opportunity for the Coast's growing superyacht industry and would help change the face of tourism on the Gold Coast.
"This berth will open the doors to visits from bigger and more expensive yachts which bring with them economic opportunities not just for the yacht club but for businesses across the region.
"More yachts mean more work for the people who service them up in Coomera, more orders for the people providing provisions to them, and more customers for restaurants, eateries and retail outlets across the Gold Coast."
"The SYC is already a designated customs and immigration clearance point, and this project will give international superyacht owners additional reasons to drop anchor in the Broadwater."
"We thank both the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council for supporting this important project and putting the Gold Coast firmly on the map of the world's super yacht industry."
Gold Coast Waterways Authority CEO, Hal Morris, said GCWA is continuing to work with other government agencies as well as industry to send a strong signal that the welcome mat is out for Superyachts on the Gold Coast.
"Our waterways have a natural capital value of $26 billion, support thousands of jobs and their contribution to the local economy is growing," he said.
"We're excited about encouraging more Superyachts to drop anchor on the Gold Coast because this will generate more jobs and growth.
"We're proud to be working with our government counterparts and the marine industry to speed up approvals for berthing facilities and support for navigation access to attract more Superyachts to our Waterways City.
"Additionally, the completion of projects like the Coomera River dredging campaign means superyachts up to 60 metres in length are able to access the Gold Coast Marine Industry Precinct.
"We'll continue to be the catalyst for change, working with our partner agencies and industry to achieve the best outcomes for our Waterways City."
