Bligh announces Expression of Interest process for the Re-defined Gold Coast Marine Development Project
Published Friday, 07 September, 2007 at 02:20 PM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
7 September 2007
The Beattie Government is moving swiftly to ensure a world class tourism and marina facility is built on more than 10 hectares of prime Gold Coast land at The Spit.
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh said it was time to capitalise on the strong interest the private sector had shown in making the Government’s plans for this unique area a reality.
”The Gold Coast Marine Development Project will take the Gold Coast tourism market to a new level of sophistication,’’ Ms Bligh said.
It will deliver the Gold Coast badly needed world class marina facilities but also protect the much-loved public space and recreational areas at the northern end of the The Spit.’’
Ms Bligh said the Government is calling for Expressions of Interest from developers keen to deliver a range of projects including:
• a marina for up to 30 super yachts (vessels greater than 24 metres in length) and about 350 other recreational vessels as well as the local fishing fleet on the western aside of The Spit;
• tourism development on two parcels of land south of Seaworld;
• improved public recreational facilities in Doug Jennings Park and surrounding areas;
• the protection and enhancement of the popular Federation Walk and the 93 hectares of nature reserve east of Seaworld Drive; and
• the incorporation of an Aboriginal cultural centre and recognition of indigenous culture into the tourism experience on the Gold Coast.
However, the redefined Gold Coast Marine Redevelopment Project will not include a marina development in the Marine Stadium area of The Spit. The Government has listened to several groups concerned about making the best of The Spit’s future as a tourism and recreational drawcard.
Ms Bligh said the Government was acutely aware of the concerns of people who had shown an enthusiastic interest in the future of The Spit. The Government has re-defined the proposed areas of development taking these views into account.
The redevelopment plan will require developers to improve the public areas in Doug Jennings Park and the Western Arm of the Marine Stadium.
The Government invites interested developers to prepare submissions for the re-defined project, which consists of two separate Expressions of Interest process for each of the two parcels of State land that are suitable for commercial tourism and marina development:
• the Northern Development Area (8.2 hectares of land and adjacent water area between Sea World and Versace); and
• the Southern Development Area (2.3 hectares of land and adjacent water area between Mariners Cove and the Southport Yacht Club).
The Expression of Interest documents for both development sites may be obtained by registering and downloading from the Department of Infrastructure’s website http://www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au
This announcement represents the commencement of Stage One of a two stage bidding process with the release of documents calling for Expressions of Interest from developers for the re-defined Project. The second stage of the biding process will require a group of Shortlisted bidders to prepare detailed proposals to become the preferred developer.
Submissions will close in November and following comprehensive evaluation process, the Government expects to announce a shortlist of bidders early in 2008, with the preferred bidder announced later in 2008.
Media Contact: Deputy Premier’s office 3224 6900
The Beattie Government is moving swiftly to ensure a world class tourism and marina facility is built on more than 10 hectares of prime Gold Coast land at The Spit.
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Anna Bligh said it was time to capitalise on the strong interest the private sector had shown in making the Government’s plans for this unique area a reality.
”The Gold Coast Marine Development Project will take the Gold Coast tourism market to a new level of sophistication,’’ Ms Bligh said.
It will deliver the Gold Coast badly needed world class marina facilities but also protect the much-loved public space and recreational areas at the northern end of the The Spit.’’
Ms Bligh said the Government is calling for Expressions of Interest from developers keen to deliver a range of projects including:
• a marina for up to 30 super yachts (vessels greater than 24 metres in length) and about 350 other recreational vessels as well as the local fishing fleet on the western aside of The Spit;
• tourism development on two parcels of land south of Seaworld;
• improved public recreational facilities in Doug Jennings Park and surrounding areas;
• the protection and enhancement of the popular Federation Walk and the 93 hectares of nature reserve east of Seaworld Drive; and
• the incorporation of an Aboriginal cultural centre and recognition of indigenous culture into the tourism experience on the Gold Coast.
However, the redefined Gold Coast Marine Redevelopment Project will not include a marina development in the Marine Stadium area of The Spit. The Government has listened to several groups concerned about making the best of The Spit’s future as a tourism and recreational drawcard.
Ms Bligh said the Government was acutely aware of the concerns of people who had shown an enthusiastic interest in the future of The Spit. The Government has re-defined the proposed areas of development taking these views into account.
The redevelopment plan will require developers to improve the public areas in Doug Jennings Park and the Western Arm of the Marine Stadium.
The Government invites interested developers to prepare submissions for the re-defined project, which consists of two separate Expressions of Interest process for each of the two parcels of State land that are suitable for commercial tourism and marina development:
• the Northern Development Area (8.2 hectares of land and adjacent water area between Sea World and Versace); and
• the Southern Development Area (2.3 hectares of land and adjacent water area between Mariners Cove and the Southport Yacht Club).
The Expression of Interest documents for both development sites may be obtained by registering and downloading from the Department of Infrastructure’s website http://www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au
This announcement represents the commencement of Stage One of a two stage bidding process with the release of documents calling for Expressions of Interest from developers for the re-defined Project. The second stage of the biding process will require a group of Shortlisted bidders to prepare detailed proposals to become the preferred developer.
Submissions will close in November and following comprehensive evaluation process, the Government expects to announce a shortlist of bidders early in 2008, with the preferred bidder announced later in 2008.
Media Contact: Deputy Premier’s office 3224 6900