SEQld Marine Highway One Step Closer
The dream of a boating corridor from Southport to Brisbane is beginning to take shape after more than 30 developers met with the State Government to flesh out plans for a 'marine highway'.
'The Gold Coast’’s Broadwater is the starting point of the proposed 'Marine Highway'.'
Developers including Sunland, Raptis, Leighton Holdings and Mirvac were asked to come up with concepts for marinas and other commercial projects at up to 10 stops along the channel between Southport and southern Moreton Bay.
Their imput will help to shape a master plan for the concept which will cater to every type of craft and which could turn the Gold Coast into Australia's marine capital.
The meeting, at the Southport Yacht Club, was the first time developers and Gold Coast marine industry representatives had a chance to relay their concerns and desires to Department of Infrastructure representatives.
The ongoing problem at the Broadwater, which has become shallow and requires dredging, was listed as a top priority, but the issue was only one aspect of wider plans for the Coast.
The forum was organised by Institute of Business Leaders, CEO Jevena O'Brien who said the developers' opinions were vital to shaping a 20-year master plan for the Gold Coast's waterways.
The Department of Infrastructure is co-ordinating the master plan but a number of departments are involved including Queensland Transport and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Ms O'Brien said the issue was no longer just about dredging the Broadwater, but about coming up with a sweeping plan for the coast that would include everything from new marinas to roads to service those marinas.
'The need for long-term solutions has never been greater,' she said.
The meeting also talked about how the region's waterways should be managed in the future.
by Jeni Bone 
Paynesville, VIC
