State and council to build dive site without the federal government

The Palaszczuk Government has today announced it will partner with council to build a world-class $5 million dive site on the Gold Coast set to create dozens of jobs for locals.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the project would create 18 jobs during construction and 82 jobs once operational.

“We’re investing in tourism to create jobs for Gold Coasters – that’s what this project is all about,” she said.

“Diving is growing in popularity worldwide. We know that having another world-class attraction will bring more visitors to the Coast and help to grow the tourism industry.

“The government will partner with Gold Coast City Council by providing funding to construct an artificial dive attraction that is both world-class and innovative and will be located offshore, just 2.5 kilometres from Main Beach.”

Ms Jones Jones said the government would jointly fund the $5 million project with council through the Palaszczuk Government’s Australian-first Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

“Stuart Robert talked big about a dive site on the Gold Coast but when it came down to it he delivered nothing. Today’s announcement just proves that the State Government and the local council are the only ones who truly care about delivering for the Gold Coast,” she said.

“Stuart Robert and Scott Morrison continually take the Gold Coast for granted. It’s time they gave locals their fair share.”

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the dive site would be engineered to have minimal impact on the environment.

“In total, we expect this project will bring an extra 16,600 visitors and pump more than $2 million a year into the economy,” she said.

“An artificial dive attraction will lure a variety of marine life to the site and provide iconic, eco-engineered experiences for all dive enthusiasts.

“The location of the dive site, off Main Beach, is ideal as it will be accessible most of the year via the Seaway. This site will have a low environmental impact being on a sandy seabed and low lying outcrops in a 500 metre exclusion zone.”

Mayor Tom Tate said today’s announcement was proof that the State Government and council were committed to working together to get the best outcome for Gold Coasters.

“This is fantastic news and shows the State Government is right behind our tourism industry,” he said.

“The City has closed its Expressions of Interest campaign on this project and we hope to announce a successful design-and-construct contractor next month.

“The aim is to have this new tourism asset installed by June 2021, ready to welcome divers from around the globe.’’

ENDS

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447