Many Gold Coasters tell me they are tired of talk about cruise ship terminals and global tourism hubs: proposals that are premised on bringing in mass tourism with attractions that are foreign to the Gold Coast.
As your next Mayor, I will advocate for alternative strategies and initiatives. Things that will build on our natural economic strengths and cultural assets.
- Let’s get on with implementation of the masterplan to enhance, protect and take better advantage the natural beauty of The Spit;
- Let’s develop better public access to enjoy the beauty of our rivers;
- Let’s create a gateway experience for the many aspects of nature-based tourism in our hinterland – an environmental education centre at Nerang, Carrara or Mudgeeraba, with a park and ride facility for visitors to Tamborine, Springbrook and our World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests; and
- Let’s start talking about a Global Surf Hub.
Surfing is synonymous with the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast, and specifically Southern Gold Coast, is internationally significant as one of three epicentres of world surfing, alongside Hawaii and Southern California. Our local surf industry is worth more than $3 billion each year. There is great opportunity to build on this strength in our cultural economy.
I want the Federal and State Governments to recognise this and support the development of a Global Surf Hub. It’s a natural fit for southern Gold Coast.
We could build a concentration and buzz of surf-related activity: Surf World museum, surfing organisations, surf industry headquarters, creative industries and surf retail outlets.
A Global Surf Hub is the type of global tourism hub that we could really be proud of. It will boost the Gold Coast’s international profile and cultural identity and spread economic gains widely throughout the city.