Coomera River shows what's possible

22 June 2010

The success of the Gold Coast City Marina and Marine Industry Precinct is the strongest possible evidence of what is possible if the North Harbour Marina is allowed to go ahead.

Six kilometres upstream from the mouth of the Coomera River, the precinct is thriving, with a $530 million plan to double the size of the development and create another 390 marina berths unveiled last month.

The proposed North Harbour Marina is 7.5 kilometres upstream from the mouth of the Caboolture River, yet some sceptics say it won’t work.

The quality of the Coomera River puts Caboolture to shame. The Coomera River, with both the marine industry precinct and the Sanctuary Cove/Hope Harbour developments well established currently holds a B+ rating. In stark contrast the Caboolture River struggles with an F rating due to elevated nutrient concentrations and lower phytoplankton abundance.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has approved development on little more than half of the total North Harbour site (195ha of the 360ha) and the refusal to approve the marina threatens the vision of a planned, liveable community.