Marine Stadium Recreational Uses Trial extended
Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) is extending the Marine Stadium Recreational Uses Trial (the trial) at the Top of the Spit for another 12 months.
The trial aims to support a broader range of recreational uses within Marine Stadium by limiting the number of vessels anchored in the area, ensuring maximum benefit to the community.
The trial is being extended to ensure adequate assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of the recreational opportunities area and allow time to determine a suitable management option for the future of Marine Stadium. The trial commenced on 31 March 2023 and was due to end on 31 March 2024. It will now be extended through to 31 March 2025.
GCWA has been monitoring the recreational opportunities area throughout the trial to assess its effectiveness by undertaking regular water quality testing, monitoring recreational uses in the area and monitoring vessel compliance.
Monitoring results to date show an overall improvement in water quality and a high volume of people using the recreational opportunities area (averaging 70 people per day). There has also been excellent compliance with vessels staying out of the recreational opportunities area.
The trial includes:
- Recreation opportunities area (no powered watercraft permitted in northern 300 metres of Marine Stadium)
- Jetty and pontoon use area (powered watercraft accepted, no anchoring or mooring)
- Approach channel (powered watercraft accepted, no anchoring or mooring).
The trial was established following extensive community consultation and feedback through the Marine Stadium Destination Planning process in 2022 and the subsequent Marine Stadium Tidal Exchange Investigation study. The Place Strategy and Top of The Spit engagement activity will help inform the long-term outcomes for Marine Stadium.
Preliminary results from the trial will be available in September 2024.
For more information, please refer to the updated Waterways Notice and the Project Web Page.
