Eight bids for Broadwater Gold Coast cruise ship development site
Eight consortiums have lodged expressions of interest with the Queensland government to build on state-owned land at the Broadwater on the Gold Coast.
Most plans include a casino as part of the proposal. The Broadwater Marine Project is a joint initiative of the Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council seeking private sector investment to deliver what could be the largest integrated tourism infrastructure development in Queensland’s history.
The project seeks delivery of a cruise ship terminal on state government-owned land on The Spit or on Wave Break Island in the Broadwater.
In addition to the terminal, the potential multi-billion dollar integrated tourism project could include hotel, casino, marina and super yacht facilities, retail, entertainment, hospitality, community open space, recreation facilities and a mix of residential development.
A Gold Coast cruise ship terminal and associated tourism infrastructure have the potential to boost tourist visitation, increasing expenditure into the state and local economies and creating jobs.
The Chinese-backed development company Ridong is the first to confirm its interest.
All the applications include a cruise ship terminal at the request of the Gold Coast City Council as a "value add" for the city's tourism industry.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that of the eight, four are Asian, along with a Middle Eastern company.
Sources close to the project say it is not viable without the development of a casino.
RDG boss Steven Haggart confirmed the Chinese-backed development company was one of the parties.
The land on offer was Wavebreak Island and parts of The Spit, including land immediately to the north and south of Sea World Nara.
"We have put forward a plan for the Broadwater which has 10 game-changing developments on it," said Mr Haggart, whose company is behind the $1 billion Jewel, Surfers Paradise resort.
