Queensland’s Treasurer praises the export success story of Riviera

Riviera’s world-class motor yacht facility on the Gold Coast was showcased to the media recently as the chosen venue for the Queensland State Treasurer, Cameron Dick, to formally announce this year’s finalists for the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards.

In his first tour of the company’s 16.8-hectare site, the Treasurer and Queensland Minister for Trade and Investment praised Riviera’s export success which saw the company win the Manufacturing and Advanced Materials category of the prestigious export awards in 2021.

The award was accepted at a gala event last year by Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst on behalf of the company’s 900-strong team.

“This company is an amazing Queensland and Australian success story,” said Mr Dick, ahead of announcing this year’s award finalists.

“Riviera has been producing the best in the world here in Queensland and exporting it to the rest of the world. Three in five luxury yachts that are produced here on the Gold Coast are exported to points all around the globe.”

“What that means for this company is a story about success and I want to particularly acknowledge Rodney in leading this company to be one of the best boat builders in the world. “

Mr Dick acknowledged Riviera’s contribution to the export economy and the company’s team which has grown in recent years to meet global demand for the 24 luxury motor yacht models it creates in six distinctive collections.

Queensland’s State Treasurer, Cameron Dick, was notably impressed with Riviera’s 16.8-hectare facility when he toured the site along with several of the finalists for this year’s awards.

“This is also a story about jobs with 900 people working onsite here at Riviera including more than 100 apprentices,” said Mr Dick.

The Queensland State Treasurer announced there would be 34 finalists competing in 13 categories of the Premier of Queensland Export Awards for 2022. Category winners have the honour of representing Queensland in the national awards held later this year.

Mr Longhurst said his team was proud to have been chosen by the Treasurer as the venue for this year’s announcement of award finalists.

Riviera’s world-class facility was the venue of choice for the Treasurer to announce the 34 finalists for this year’s prestigious Premier of Queensland Export Awards.

“As a winner in the Queensland Exporter of the Year awards last year, it is doubly rewarding for our team to have been chosen by the Treasurer as an occasion to highlight Queensland’s export success stories.

“We’re lucky to be standing here in the home of Riviera which is the largest motor yacht manufacturing facility in not only Queensland and Australia, but in the southern hemisphere, where we produce luxury motor yachts from 39 to 78 feet.

“This year we will build over 130 yachts destined for owners in Australia and overseas. Through 42 years of design evolution and the ongoing investment in our facilities and our people, today’s Rivieras are the best we have ever created.”