Qld. Media statement
Deputy Premier & Finance & State Development, Trade and Innovation, Anna
Bligh
01/02/06
Nine consortiums lodge EOIs for coast Cruise Ship Terminal: Bligh
Nine potential developers for the proposed redevelopment of the Gold Coast's Spit area have lodged Expressions of Interest for the project, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation Anna
Blighannounced today.
Ms Bligh said the nine consortiums had met the EOI deadline on Monday and the State Government would now assess each individual proposal. However Ms Bligh again stressed the proposal for the Spit redevelopment including a Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal was still subject to rigorous Environmental Impact Studies - which got underway this week.
"It's great to see so many interested parties lodge Expressions of Interest for the proposal for a broader redevelopment of The Spit marine precinct," Ms Bligh said.
"The next step is for the Interdepartmental Assessment Panel to carefully assess these submissions prior to providing advice to Government. "But while a cruise ship terminal forms part of that proposal, it has to stack up both economically and environmentally.
"The proposed redevelopment of The Spit is heavily slanted toward preserving and enhancing and improving the current environment. "We want to see a development that not only delivers much-needed new tourism infrastructure to the Gold Coast but also improves the public amenity of The Spit.
"It is about a broad, wide-ranging redevelopment of the area including a preservation program for Doug Jennings Park and the western arm of the Marine Stadium, the provision of recreational facilities in the area and, importantly, a protection and enhancement program for Federation Walk and nature reserves in the Seaworld Drive area."
Expressions of Interest were received from:
* Gold Coast Cruise Port Consortium
* Macquarie Bank/Seymour Group Consortium
* Marina Cost D'Oro
* Multiplex
* Oceana (Devine)
* Port Binnli Pty Ltd
* Raptis Group
* Spitech
* Sunland Group Ltd
The State Government's vision for The Spit - representing a clear balance between public space and recreational and tourism facilities - includes:
* A preservation program for Doug Jennings Park and the western arm of the Marine Stadium
* The provision of recreational facilities for public use
* A protection and enhancement program for the 93ha Federation Walk and Nature Reserve areas east of Seaworld Drive
* A cruise ship terminal
* Construction of a marina facility for superyachts, recreational and commercial vessels at either the Marine Stadium or adjacent to Seaworld and
* The development of 6.2ha of State land south of Seaworld
The cruise shipping industry is estimated to be worth $200 million a year to the Australian tourism industry and, with the right infrastructure, Queensland has the potential to tap into the market and garner about $80 million annually.
Media Contact Chris Taylor 3224 5982
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