Queensland Tourism Backs off Plans for F-111 Artificial Reef

Nuts. That would have been a rad dive spot.

Queensland tourism authorities have backed away from a proposal to sink an F-111 fighter jet off the Gold Coast to create a new underwater attraction for scuba divers.

The idea was floated by Gold Coast Tourism's Stephanie Fuller yesterday while announcing plans for the possible construction of an artificial reef to lure more visitors.

It has won eager support from scuba dive operators, who say it could be come the first of its kind.

The State Government has commissioned a $71,800 study into the feasibility of a man-made reef, among a range of new attractions on the Gold Coast.

The F-111s, due to be decommissioned later this year, as well as other naval vessels no longer in service were touted for the fake reef yesterday, however Gold Coast Tourism spokesman John Kaarsberg said it was too early to speculate on what the artificial reef may feature.

"We were putting the horse before the cart in making any suggestion of possible dive structures," he said.

"It may not be financially feasible [to sink an F-111]

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