Police called in as battle erupts over marine development
A battle over the fate of dozens of Gold Coast marine tourism operators has escalated with a tenant forced to watch as his vessel was towed by work crews despite a new development not yet approved by council.
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A battle over the fate of dozens of Gold Coast marine tourism operators has erupted with police called and a tenant forced to watch in anguish as work crews moved in to tow his vessel.
About 30 marine businesses are facing an uncertain future with a swanky new development planned for the Mariners Cove site they call home.
Most tenants had been given advice from the developers, the Giannarelli Group, that they would have 60 days to vacate once the project is approved by Gold Coast City Council, but while the development has yet to receive the green light, workers for the marina arrived on Tuesday and used bolt cutters to unshackle a boat chained to the marina and threatened to tow the vessel away.
Police were called to the marina about 10.20am to respond to a disturbance and remained on the scene at 2pm.
Mr Nerezov was in shock as the drama unfolded.
Multiple police crews were called to the scene, including a unit from Water Police.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service said “the matter was considered civil in nature (but) officers remain on the scene to keep the peace.
“At this time no formal complaint has been made,” the statement said.
The Giannarelli Group has been contacted for comment.
The $480 million project will include a Ritz-Carlton hotel and berths for superyachts, meaning there is no room for the businesses which have been welcoming tourists to the Gold Coast for generations.
the tourism businesses, which include Paradise Jet Boating, Sailing in Paradise, Gold Coast Gondolas and Spirit Whale Watching
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