In this interview with Marina World, the mayor of Australia’s Gold Coast, Tom Tate, explains how the city is realising a transformative vision for its maritime industries in the run up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Gold Coast and Queensland are the undisputed leaders in the Australian boating and marina industries. To what would you attribute this success?
Our enviable lifestyle and iconic waterways make the Gold Coast a boating paradise. With over 270km of navigable waterways and a picturesque protected Broadwater there is an abundance of cruising routes. Our sub-tropical climate also lends itself to year-round boating.
Most attractive of all though is the metropolitan atmosphere of our city. The Gold Coast is the City that says yes, to investment, talent, business and growth. And all of this is accompanied by ample opportunities to relax and enjoy.
You were first elected as Mayor of Gold Coast in 2012. How have you seen the boating and marina industries grow and change over the last 14 years in office?
Our marine industry has rapidly grown over the past two decades. First was the master planning and development of the 250-hectare Gold Coast Marine precinct at Coomera. With two major shipyards, namely Gold Coast City Marina and the Boat Works, the precinct is a major refit and service hub for visiting and local superyachts.
Accompanied by world class boat manufacturers in Riviera, Maritimo and Telwater the Gold Coast marine precinct now has the highest density of skilled marine trade in the southern hemisphere with recent studies estimating over 6,000 staff work in the marine industry on the Gold Coast.
In more recent times, master planning of the Southport Spit has unlocked once-in-a-generation marina assets in our Broadwater. The construction of the Southport Yacht Club megayacht berth at 160m now gives the city capacity to host some of the world’s largest yachts.
Adjoining developments in the Broadwater including the $300m AUD Mantaray Marina and residences, and the $450m Main Beach Superyacht Marina and associated proposed Ritz-Carlton luxury hotel, have further validated the Gold Coast’s position as the leading superyacht hub in the southern hemisphere.
Can you quantify how valuable the boating and marina industries are to the local Gold Coast economy? Do you have any statistics about its economic impact?
The Gold Coast is experiencing strong, sustained growth and continues to strengthen its position as one of Australia’s most dynamic economies. This momentum is underpinned by a diverse industry base, a growing population and a pipeline of new ideas being commercialised by local founders and innovators.
Our 2023 marine industry report showed that sectors of the industry were growing at a rate of nine percent per annum. More recently a commercial marine industry economic study revealed the industry now produces $2 billion AUD in business output for our local economy. This is why we have identified the marine industry as key for our city to continue to support and find opportunities to enable its sustainable growth.
Much of the Gold Coast area is already highly developed with little room for new projects. How do you believe the boating and marina industries can continue growing despite space constraints?
Our city is lucky to still have large areas available for future growth. One such location is at Steiglitz where the City has begun master planning a 190ha Northern Marine Precinct. This will complement the existing Coomera marine precinct and provide entry level and alternative industry opportunities. Close by is the Yatala manufacturing precinct and proposed Advanced Resource Recovery Centre which represents a great opportunity for marine business to leverage these facilities to develop more sustainable circular processes ensuring a future for all.
In many places around the world, marina owners, managers and developers will often complain that local governments complicate and frustrate their plans for growth. What does your mayoralty do to support these stakeholders in achieving their own business objectives?
We are the City that says yes and that is why we have established Invest Gold Coast with industry experts who understand their needs. They are the central point of contact to facilitate major investment into our city. They work closely with marina owners and developers to provide early guidance and ongoing advice so that private investment aligns with our desired economic and community outcomes. Working closely with our state and federal government agencies also ensures that investment in major projects in our city are facilitated through the most efficient process.
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Nearby Brisbane is preparing to host the 2032 Olympics, which is expected to be a boon for the ordinary and luxury boating industries. What is your mayoralty doing to support marinas in preparing for this milestone? How will this change or increase as the Olympics draw closer?
Our city is working with industry and key stakeholders to ensure we are well positioned to welcome the world to our shores during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games. As a city with highly desirable natural tourism assets and host venues for Olympic competition, we know there will be a large increase in visitation. We anticipate superyachts in particular to arrive well in advance of Brisbane 2032 and stay long after the Games are completed.
Rapid air transport to and from marinas and large vessels will be key to providing a seamless experience. The City has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Skyports Infrastructure to collaborate on the pathway to commercial advanced air mobility on the Gold Coast — including early work on planning, potential sites and the infrastructure needed to support future operations.
Our team at Invest Gold Coast are also working with partners to deliver new facilities including an indoor arena near the Broadwater in Southport and close to our major marinas. The Gold Coast Arena is expected to be an Olympic host venue and ongoing sports and major music and entertainment events.
Our marine industry specialists have also been meeting with key superyacht associations and marina investors across the globe as part of our trade mission program. This is delivering an investment pipeline of new marina and luxury accommodation facilities worth billions. This investment attraction will enable the entire industry to benefit from the ongoing economic contribution these vessels and facilities will generate, growing our 6,000-strong marine workforce even further into the future.
