Breakwater Group berates State Government for ignoring Gold Coast cruise ship terminal proposal at Spit

THE rival group vying to build a cruise ship terminal on The Spit has blasted the State Government for continuously ignoring its proposal and have pledged to keep resubmitting the plans.

The Breakwater Group cruise ship terminal proposal.

THE Gold Coast group behind a proposed $4.4 billion cruise ship terminal development are berating State Government for rejecting it at the first hurdle.

Labor has torpedoed the Craig Perry-led Breakwater Group’s cruise ship terminal and land development at The Spit, resubmitted recently for consideration as a Market-Led Proposal.

But Breakwater isn’t planning to give up on its plan for a four-berth cruise terminal, superyacht marina and 175 land packages for third-party developers and say they will keep resubmitting it until the government agrees to open it up for public input.

In a strongly-worded letter this week to State Government deputy under Treasurer Warwick Agnew, Mr Perry said the project — “should the Government ever take the time to look at and absorb it” — delivered on Labor’s stated priorities.

Breakwater Group plans for a mega development involving a cruise ship terminal, superyacht marina and ferry terminal at The Spit with 175 land packages for third-party developers.

“We put it to you creating 8500 jobs, delivering significant social infrastructure, resolving longstanding traffic issues, increasing public open space and converting snake-infested man-made land into family-friendly fully appointed parkland at no cost to the city, State or community defines and meets community need,” Mr Perry writes.

“We intend to continue resubmitting our proposal until such time as the government of this state allows the people to express their desires and aspirations through a definitive, open public and legitimate consultation process.”

BREAKWATER GROUP DUSTS OFF PLANS

The Breakwater blast comes after Mr Agnew wrote to the group to say it had previously been advised its proposed terminal location was “inconsistent with Government policy” for no development north of SeaWorld theme park.

Government policy was also against development on Wavebreak Island, he said.

“This remains the Government position. I note since your previous submission to Government, a business case has been prepared in support of the proposal,” Mr Agnew’s letter said.

“However, as the proposal does not align with Government policy on the threshold issues of development of The Spit and Wavebreak Island it is not suitable to progress as an MLP.”

The Breakwater Group plans say it will increase land area at The Spit and Wavebreak, public accessibility and aims to address transport issues with an underwater tunnel from The Spit to Wavebreak Island and connecting bridge to Labrador.

It describes Wavebreak being preserved as the project’s “green heart” and becoming the Gold Coast’s version of New York’s famed Central Park.

The Main Beach Progress Association says the majority of members support the Breakwater concept.