Mayors pitch for a better 2021

Following a tough year for the Mayor and an even tougher year for small business, the city council has begun the year by pledging that "The Gold Coast is the envy of Australia but also the world". Mayor Tate outlined his plans to build a better year in 2021 starting with some major concerts to be announced. The fun didn't stop there with plans to Resurrecting the city’s international relationships program being the top of Mayor Tates wish list but also a Stepping up support for the lucrative superyacht industry. Mr Tate says that "In 2021 the Gold Coast will have around 180 superyacht berths and I believe this is a sleeper industry in a sense, so our goal is to be the number one port of call.”. 

This comes as the State Budget effectively abandons the Mayors pledge for an offshore cruise ship terminal at The Spit. Council’s special budget meeting in September proposed no funding to be provided, however, $3.5 million is earmarked for environmental impact assessments and remains unspent. About $1 million of that is to be switched to cover Kirra Beach tourist park acquisitions. The strong view from within council is the $650 million jetty, if it is to occur — and that’s a long shot — won’t surface for at least another decade.

Mayor Tate seems undeterred, however, pledging that instead he will be focused on activating the Gold Coast’s stadiums as well as launching the dive site in July. Latest council budget shows funding of $992,108 is allocated in the Strategic Priorities Reserve to the dive site. A contract has now been let for the site, a report said. About $494,876 will remain in reserve should additional funding be required. The $5 million first stage of the offshore dive attraction off The Spit is expected to open in mid-2021.