July 27 saw the company responsible for some of the world’s most legendary developments, Sembawang of Singapore – Global Project Underwriters Limited (Sembawang), reveal a proposal to independently fund a $4.9 billion cruise ship, residential, marine as well as tourist precinct on the Gold Coast’s Broadwater. Scheduled for delivery ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the world-class destination is to be called Wavebreak. It is proposed to accommodate two cruise ship terminals, 12 superyacht berths, a 400 berth marina as well as Fisherman’s Wharf-style trawler centre among its marine infrastructure.
Tourism facilities including 1500 hotel rooms – from four to six stars – an aquarium, theatre and casino are also proposed. The project would be one of the largest undertaken on Australia’s Eastern Seaboard and its proponents say it would provide a substantial economic boost to the Gold Coast and Queensland. It will also be a thriving community providing apartments, shopping and dining facilities and ‘dry’ access to Wavebreak Island’s parkland and east-facing beach.
The cruise ship terminal will be located on the north end of Wavebreak Island, with the majority of the remaining 37 hectares of man-made island protected as parkland. The majority of the development would be established on the western side of Wavebreak Island and separated by a navigable waterway. Tourism, marine and residential facilities will be housed on reclaimed land west of Wavebreak Island, and accessed via a new bridge to Brisbane Road.
Economic projections indicate Wavebreak would generate approximately 19,000 positions for the construction sector. The cruise industry alone would bring an additional 264,500 visitors to the Gold Coast by 2018, increasing to an additional 913,000 in 2031.
Wavebreak would add to Sembawang’s portfolio of signature international projects including Jumeirah Island Villas in Dubai and the Marina Bay Sands Resort in Singapore. Wavebreak would add to Sembawang’s seaport and terminal experience, with the company previously delivering Singapore’s first centralised multi-utility facility.
Company President and CEO, Mr Ric Grosvenor, said if approved the proposed development would be ‘world-class’ and heighten interest in the Gold Coast and Queensland internationally. He said the company was finalising its plans so that it could be lodged and formally considered.
“Sembawang is pleased to unveil the initial plans for Wavebreak, which is a vision for a world-class destination,” said Mr Grosvenor. “The cruise ship terminal will allow the Gold Coast and Queensland to better cater for the region’s cruise ship industry.
“But first and foremost, Wavebreak will serve the Gold Coast community. There will be a rich mix of leisure and recreational facilities, parklands and swimming areas open to the public, helping cater for significant population growth forecast over coming decades.
“People can come and have a picnic on the foreshore with their fish and chips or they can choose sophisticated waterfront dining. They can shop, they can arrive by boat and moor, they can stay for a holiday or they can stay for life in one of the residential precincts.
“Sembawang also recognises the importance of the Broadwater to recreational boating on the Gold Coast and is committed to improving the access, safety and navigational ease of this channel. To this end, the design team is considering a range of options to ensure recreational boating activities can be accommodated in a sheltered area of the Broadwater.
“The company is well-positioned to deliver Wavebreak and make a significant investment in the Gold Coast and Queensland economies at the same time, at no cost to local or state governments. The aim is for the eventual owners and operators of facilities to cater for ongoing costs where appropriate.”
Mr Grosvenor said the proposed project would need to be approved by all relevant authorities including Local, State and Federal Governments and agencies. The scope and nature of this project means it will require dedicated State government legislation to become reality.
“It is early days as yet, but we are confident this proposal can tick all the relevant boxes,” he said.
Wavebreak is proposed to include:
– a two berth cruise ship terminal (vessels up to 300m in length could access the Seaway)
– a super yacht marina (12+ berths)
– a marina (400 berths)
– hotels (1,500 suites)
– apartments
– a casino
– education and training facilities
– public parklands (37ha)
– a bridge to Brisbane Road
– an aquarium
– retail space
– a cultural centre
– commercial space
– theatre
– prawn trawler moorings
The proponents are also proposing to repair damaged sections of the Seaway’s southern wall and offer new moorings for prawn trawler operators whom may be displaced by future plans for The Spit.
Mr Grosvenor said utilising the man-made Wavebreak Island for a cruise ship terminal, instead of the nearby Spit, had always made sense.
“Indeed, the concept for a cruise ship terminal on Wavebreak Island was first originated in 1998,” said Mr Grosvenor. “We have had it on our list of possible projects to activate worldwide and it has progressively risen to the top of that list. The time is now perfect to proceed.
“But reviving the concept to create a world-class, visionary project such as Wavebreak needed the certainty and innovation of industry leaders, which is why Sembawang has brought together a team including Desmond Brooks Architects (DBA), Urban Planning Services (UPS) and ARUP to deliver the project.
“We have harnessed some of the best minds and talent worldwide to create something here on the Gold Coast which will have State and national significance.”
As Master Architect for Southbank, Desmond Brooks brought his vision for Brisbane to reality and changed the way the city relates to the river and its Parklands.
It is Desmond’s and DBA’s passion for the Gold Coast (his home), that gave creation to this concept. Desmond first brought the concept to Ric some 10 years ago – a client who shares his vision and demands excellence in his creations. This concept has the potential to bring the Gold Coast into the bright future it really deserves.
Timing is everything. In partnership with Ric, Sembawang and Queensland – the time is now.
