Posted on January 31, 2017
By Laura Nelson, Gold Coast Bulletin
A MAJOR boost is under way for the city’s marine industry with construction kicking off next week of two massive berths and the pending approval of a major dredging facility at Coomera.
Steve Sammes, chief operating officer of Gold Coast City Marina, said work would start at the beginning of February on berths for super yachts and other large vessels.
The project, which is valued at more than $1 million, will be complete by the middle of March and will cater for eight superyachts and two 65m vessels.
“The larger berth will allow for dry machinery such as forklifts and small vehicles to get right on to the docks. This will be great for the bigger boats which need pallets and other large goods to be loaded on to them,” Mr Sammes said.
He said the marina was already busy with refit and maintenance work and a number of superyachts were undergoing major maintenance and upgrades.
“At the moment, the largest vessel is 40m and all the boats here are registered in Australia,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to a very good year and we are excited about the momentum of the dredging program by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA).
“We are also looking forward to the start of construction of the Coomera Dredged Sediment Management Facility (CRDSMF), which is really positive news for the boating fraternity.”
GCWA chief executive Hal Morris said the facility was on track and he was waiting for the final approval by Main Roads Minister Minister Mark Bailey.
“We are hoping to have his sign-off very shortly, so that we can start construction,” Mr Morris said.
The new facility will offer cost-effective, environmentally-sound disposal of sediment dredged from the upper reaches of the Coomera River.
Mr Morris said multi-million dollar marine industries operating in the area needed safe access and navigation of the river. Dredging would also support further industry growth by enabling larger vessels to access the services provided by the Coomera Marine Precinct.
The facility at 91 Shipper Dr will be used by approved organisations that dredge in the area, including the GCWA, Gold Coast City Council, local industry and private residential estates such as Hope Island and Sanctuary Cove.
Construction on the CRDSMF is due to start April. It is anticipated that it will take four months to complete.
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin
