Questions raised over Quiksilver’s future

SPECULATION is mounting about the future of Quiksilver’s headquarters in Torquay, with local surf identity Maurice Cole openly raising the subject at a Surf Coast Shire meeting.
Quiksilver, founded in Torquay in 1969, has its Australian head office in Baines Crescent.
Parent company Boardriders Inc finalised its acquisition of surf brand Billabong last month and there have been changes to the leadership team of the now-united company, leading to suggestions that Quiksilver may relocate its operations to the Gold Coast.
As well as its Australian headquarters, Quiksilver has a strong retail presence in Torquay, opening its Boardriders concept store in late 2015 following a $2 million renovation.
At last month’s Surf Coast Shire meeting, in a question about the impact of growth on Torquay, Mr Cole used Quiksilver as an example of how Torquay’s surf industry was struggling and that the shire should not rely on surfing as a major economic driver.
“As you know, surfing is now going backwards. The market has declined significantly – I’m sure you’re all aware that Quiksilver will be moving to Burleigh Heads – so there is no growth in the surf industry in Torquay. In fact, it’s deteriorated by 50 per cent in the last five years; that’s the turnover of the companies.
“So I wouldn’t be putting the surf industry as a pillar of the economy.”
Shire general manager of environment and development Ransce Salan did not directly address  Quiksilver in his answer, but said the existing Council Plan identified the need to support key industry sector such as surfing and tourism.
He said the draft 2018/19 budget (adopted by the council at the same meeting) contained a request to undertake an economic development and tourism strategy in the coming financial year.
“This strategy will identify key current and emerging sectors and provide actions to drive the economy and create jobs.”
Boardriders Inc has not yet made any official comment on Quiksilver’s future in Torquay, or responded to media inquiries from this newspaper.