BELLINGHAM Marine Australia (BMA) has completed a floating public pontoon as part of Gold Coast City Council’s $42 million Broadwater Parklands rejuvenation at Southport.
BMA was contracted by Abigroup to design, construct and install the pontoon on the historic site that once occupied the Pier Talkies.
“This is one project our staff really felt very passionate about, being right at our back door, allowing us to utilise all our local southeast Queensland employees and contractors,” says Bellingham Marine Australia general manger John Spragg.
“It’s one they really related to, as some of our employees and contractors even grew up in the area and their families frequented the original pier on the same site all those years ago.
The site is rich in history. In 1932 fire raged through the old pier, burning the theatre and kiosk. It was rebuilt as the Pier Talkies, introducing the first films with voice and music to Southport. The pier deteriorated and in 1969 the Pier Talkies was demolished.
The pier also held dances, skating contests and a range of other activities. It had extensive promenades overlooking the water and a free amusement cafe, with games such as indoor golf and bowls.
)
