Why We Are Asking for Your Support

Many members of the community have asked why the Gold Coast Fishermen’s Co-operative has taken such a strong position regarding the proposed redevelopment at The Spit. We believe the community deserves to understand why we are so concerned and why we are asking for your support.

History

We have been at the Carter’s Basin site since 1970, when it was designated a “Fishermen’s Reserve”. Since 2012, we have only been granted one- or two-year leases by the State. This has meant that we have never been in a position to upgrade our facilities.

The reason given was that the area had been under consideration for possible development.

This is where our struggle began.

When The Spit Master Plan was released in 2020, the members of the Co-operative were genuinely excited. The Master Plan recognised our existing location and identified it as a marine and seafood precinct, acknowledging the importance of the commercial fishing industry and the role it has played on the Gold Coast for more than 50 years.

For us, this represented an opportunity to create something truly special.

Our Vision

Our vision is not simply to secure the future of our family fishing businesses—many of which have been handed down through three or more generations—but also to leave a lasting legacy for the Gold Coast Community.

If given the opportunity, we believe we could still create something truly unique for the Gold Coast: a genuine working marine and seafood precinct that supports the commercial fishing fleet while providing the public with direct access to fresh local seafood.

The precinct could include a variety of seafood outlets, cafés, shaded outdoor dining areas overlooking the Broadwater, and public spaces where families could relax while watching the commercial fishing fleet operate.

Safe viewing areas overlooking the unloading wharf could allow visitors to experience first- hand how fresh seafood arrives from the ocean. Instead of trying to watch from unsuitable locations, as they do today, people could enjoy the experience safely and comfortably while learning about an industry that has helped shape the history of the Gold Coast.

It would be a place where families could spend time together, where visitors could experience an authentic part of the Gold Coast that is rapidly disappearing and where future generations could continue to enjoy buying fresh seafood directly from the people who catch it.

This vision is still achievable, but only if the Government is willing to reconsider the current proposal.

The Development Process

When the Expression of Interest to develop our site was announced, we applied alongside others. After a two-year wait, we were told in February 2025 that we were unsuccessful.

We still believe our vision reflects the intentions of The Spit Master Plan, a community-driven plan. Unfortunately, when we were eventually shown what was being proposed for the Co-operative, our excitement quickly turned to disbelief.

The outcome of the process has denied the Co-operative the opportunity to occupy and develop the full site envisaged in The Spit Master Plan.

Over many meetings, we were repeatedly told that the ongoing viability of the Gold Coast Fishermen's Co-operative was a priority and that the State would work alongside us throughout the project to ensure our operational needs were properly addressed.

When the successful developer was announced at the end of 2025, we attended an introductory meeting. The early concept plans appeared encouraging. The marina layout showed our vessels in essentially the same configuration in which we had always operated, and we left that meeting cautiously optimistic.

Unfortunately, that confidence disappeared on 27 January 2026, when detailed alignment meetings commenced between the State, the developer and the Co-operative.

As discussions progressed, it became increasingly apparent that the detailed operational requirements provided to the Government over several years had either not been communicated to the developer or had not been incorporated into the project.

The developer expressed surprise at many of the issues we raised, issues that had already been thoroughly discussed and documented with the State over several years. From that point forward, our confidence steadily declined.

Without going into every technical detail, we have reached the unfortunate conclusion that the current proposal will not allow the Co-operative to operate in a viable manner.

The developer's plan to build a 190-room hotel and retail precinct is not compatible with the operational needs of a commercial fishing fleet, nor do we believe it is consistent with The Spit Master Plan.

If implemented in its present form, we genuinely believe the proposal will threaten the future of commercial fishing vessels at The Spit.

The Current Plan

The current plan:

• Offers only 200 paid parking spaces to accommodate a 190-room hotel, commercial premises and their patrons, the Co-operative, its staff, customers and service vehicles, charter operators, jet-ski hire, the superyacht marina, the ferry service and other visitors. This appears extremely short-sighted and will deter our customers from returning to the Co-op.
• Does not provide road access suitable for semi-trailers, which are essential to our operations.
• Provides insufficient manoeuvring space for our vessels. A practical demonstration confirmed that the proposed space would not allow our vessels to manoeuvre safely.
• Provides less than half the logistics area required to carry out our day-to-day operations.
• Limits access to the Co-operative to one road leading directly into the underground car parking. Our customers would be required to pay for underground parking then walk a minimum of 200 metres before reaching the first selling vessel.

Before asking the community for its support, we attempted to resolve these issues through meetings, correspondence and discussions with everyone from senior departmental representatives through to the Premier and our local Member of Parliament.

Sadly, despite repeatedly raising our concerns, we have received no meaningful response that addresses the issues threatening our future.

We Now Need Your Help

We are not opposed to development. We are opposed to a proposal that we believe disregards the intentions of The Spit Master Plan and threatens the future of the Gold Coast's commercial fishing fleet.

We are asking the community to encourage the Government to:

• Pause the current proposal.
• Conduct an independent review of the proposal against The Spit Master Plan.
• Undertake genuine consultation with the Gold Coast Fishermen's Co-operative.
• Provide long-term security for the Co-operative and the commercial fishing fleet at Carter's Basin.

Our vision would create more than a working fishing harbour. It would create a genuine destination for the Gold Coast while protecting the authenticity and heritage of its commercial fishing industry.

This vision is worth protecting, and it can still be achieved, but only if the Government acts now.

If we go, the fresh local seafood goes.

We hope you agree.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Please send your thoughts directly to:

• Premier David Crisafulli: premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au
• Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie: deputy.premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au
• John-Paul Langbroek MP: Surfers.Paradise@parliament.qld.gov.au