State set to decide fate of $530m marine project

Written on the 2 December 2013 by Gold Coast PR company Consulting Hall

The future of a planned $530 million expansion of the Gold Coast’s international marine precinct at Coomera should be known this month.

The State Government’s Co-ordinator General is in the final stage of assessing the project, which is to be joint venture between Maritimo, which is owned by prominent marine industry figure Bill Barry Cotter, and Brisbane-based developer Property Solutions Australia

Gold Coast-headquartered project management and town planning company Planit Consulting, which is representing the developers, has submitted a supplementary Environmental Impact Statement to the State Co-ordinator General about the proposal.

Planit Consulting executive director Boyd Sargeant said the submission paved the way for the State Government to make a decision on the project, which has been deemed to be of "state significance", before the end of December.

Mr Sargeant said the supplementary report had been prepared in response to community feedback on the project, which is to be built on 42ha adjoining the northern side of the existing Coomera marine precinct.

“The proposal has generated considerable community interest with the project’s website receiving about 10,000 hits,’’ said Mr Sargeant.

“The project has very strong support among the community with more than 90 per cent of the people we surveyed in favour of the concept.

The project includes a 390-berth marina, a 290-berth dry stack storage complex, a TAFE college, a yacht club, and commercial outlets.

Mr Sargeant said the community and users of the marine precinct were also asked what additional facilities were needed in the area.

“The concept design that we have developed now includes allocations for a number of the suggested support industries and services to meet these community expectations expectations and those of the industry.”

The proposal now allows for:

• 11ha waterfront industry and ship lift facility for manufacture and repairs
• 18ha for support industries,  manufacture and storage
• 10ha  of mixed use for boat designers, boating chandlery, professional offices, education and training facilities, showrooms, cafes, restaurants
• 370 berth marina harbour complex
• 5ha environmental reserve to Oakey Creek

Mr Sargeant said the development would provide a significant economic boost for the Gold Coast and Queensland

“The proposal will generate significant stimulus to the region’s economy with up to 4000 jobs created locally during the construction phase and up to 5500 jobs during its operation.”

For further media information contact Queesland public relations company Consulting Hall on 1300 694777