Dive site could be tourism 'draw card'
A DIVE spot off Currumbin would attract divers from around the world, according to a local diver.
Gold Coast City Council has started research into a dive site where a ship could be scuttled.
Herb Ilic has scuba dived the waters around Currumbin the Tweed for years, and said a dive site like the HMAS Brisbane off Mooloolaba would attract divers.
“People from here are talking about heading up to dive the Brisbane,” Mr Ilic said.
“Divers from around the world go to Brisbane.”
He said a wreck was a big draw card, and it wouldn’t take long to attract divers to the area.
“It (scuttled ship) gets life on it very quickly - about four to five weeks,” he said.
The Gold Coast City Council is investigating the dive site after receiving a $100,000 Tourism Quality Projects grant from the federal government.
Councillor Chris Robbins said diving was a popular attraction around the southern end of the Gold Coast but a dedicated facility would be an added bonus.
“To have a dive site off Currumbin would certainly help consolidate the Gold Coast’s reputation in the diving industry,” Cr Robbins said.
