Posted on August 30, 2016
By Denis Doherty, Gold Coast Bulletin
SAND from dredging the Broadwater to allow future sailing regattas and open up access to superyachts could be used to protect Gold Coast beaches from erosion caused by cyclones and massive summer storms.
That’s the view of groups behind the proposals to open up the Broadwater to superyacht access and become a top flight venue for blue riband sailing.
It comes as a report from council’s infrastructure committee indicated concerns that erosion arising from the 2017/2018 storm season could negatively impact views of the Gold Coast ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The report said there was a possibility that localised erosion incidents could be reported in the international media as a problem affecting the entire Gold Coast.
Yachting industry veteran Rob Mundle said if the Broadwater was dredged for commercial and racing reasons, sand could be pumped to threatened beaches, pre-empting any erosion problems.
He said such a move would help encourage the superyacht industry on the Coast.
“Cairns and New Zealand had a fantastic economic boost from superyachts and there’s no reason we can’t do it here,” he said.
Boatworks shipyard owner Tony Longhurst said simply being able to bring bigger boats into the Broadwater could add tens of million to the local economy.
“Since 1986 there has been a lot done to improve infrastructure on the Gold Coast like schools, roads, the light rail, but nothing has been done in the Broadwater,’ he said.
“We can’t even have sailing events for kids and there’s nowhere to moor a superyacht.
“Dredging the Coomera River will make a massive difference to the marine industry.”
However Save Our Spit’s Steve Gration warned any attempt to dredge the area would have to run the gamut of a range of federal and state laws.
“For example federal laws protect migratory bird species roosts such as the sandbanks in the Broadwater,” he said.
“Other federal laws protect seagrass areas and dugong habitat.
“Also, ironically, the majority of the protected species in the Broadwater don’t live up near the Moreton Bay Marine Park, they choose to live in the southern Broadwater.
“You also have all sorts of federal and state laws on the protection of marine habitat to consider.”
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin
