The Queensland State Government has earmarked more than 10 hectares of prime Gold Coast land at The Spit at Southport for world class tourism developments and marinas that could host up to 30 super yachts and 350 smaller vessels.

"The message from the Gold Coast is loud and clear," Premier Peter Beattie said.

"The city wants and needs world class marinas, but it also wants to keep public space and recreational areas at the northern end of The Spit."  "It can have both."

"We are redefining the Gold Coast Marine Development Project to ensure we get the balance right between these competing demands by offering more than 10 hectares of crown land for tourism and marina development south of the Seaworld complex."

"The government will set some broad parameters for this intiative but I encourage the private sector to take up the challenge - be innovative - and develop some exciting concepts for these marinas."

"There are a lot of exciting things happening on the Broadwater including the $32 million Southport Broadwater Parklands project - a joint initiative between the State Government and the Gold Coast City Council to celebrate Queensland 150th anniversary in 2009."

Mr Beattie provided details of the latest initiative at the State Government's major projects conference in Brisbane today.

The proposed projects include:

** A marina for up to 30 super yachts (vessels greater than 24 metres) and about 350 other recreational vessels and the fishing fleet on the western side of The Spit;

** Tourism development on two parcels of crown land south of Seaworld;

** The incorporation of an Aboriginal cultural centre and recognition of indigenous culture into the tourism experience on the Gold Coast;

** Improved public recreational facilities in Doug Jennings Park and surrounding areas on The Spit; and

** a protection and enhancement program for the 93ha Federation Walk and nature reserve areas east of Seaworld Drive.

Mr Beattie said that in line with the government's election commitment of August 2006, the re-defined project does not include a cruise ship terminal on The Spit, nor will there be any marina development in the Marine Stadium area.

"The Government is now examining development options for two sites on the western side of Seaworld Drive," Mr Beattie said.

"These are the Northern Development Area, an 8 hectare site between Seaworld and the Versace Hotel and the Southern Development Area of about 2 hectares between Mariners Cove and the Southport Yacht Club."  "It is anticipated that these sites will include associated marinas."

"We are keen to bring these exciting initiatives to the market and will consult with the Gold Coast City Council and the business sector over coming months on the finer detail of the proposal and the best way forward."

"There is an ever growing demand for marinas and boating facilities on the Gold Coast waterways and I'm confident the private sector will relish the chance to be involved," Mr Beattie said.

Mr Beattie said the preliminary draft of the Environmental Impact Statement or the Notional Seaway Project was now available on the Department's website at www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au.

"The re-defined project will be fundamentally different from the Notional Seaway Project, so the Environmental Impact Statement now has little relevance to the new project," Mr Beattie said.

"The government gave a commitment the Environmental Impact Statement would be published and we are honouring that commitment."

Mr Beattie said the Department of Infrastructure and Queensland Transport were currently undertaking a study to identify the needs of industry and recreational users and would include a long term dredging strategy that addresses the role of government, industry and users.

Report by The Mole