Legendary Gold Coast developer Norm Rix joins with greens to fight Spit development plans

DEVELOPER Norm Rix is to team up with greenies to protest against what he believes will be overdevelopment of The Spit.

ASF’s plans for its integrated resort on The Spit.

DEVELOPER Norm Rix is to team up with greenies to protest against what he believes will be overdevelopment of The Spit.

The 81-year-old businessman said he had hired an aircraft to fly banners from Burleigh Heads to The Spit today and during the weekend encouraging residents to fight to save the parkland.

The banner will say “PARK FOR SPIT NOT CASINO” and the one on the weekend is to read “CROWN LAND AT SPIT FOR PUBLIC NOT CASINO”.

Mr Rix decided to approach the Gold Coast Hinterland and Environment Council president Lois Levy about his concerns after assessing ASF’s plans for its integrated resort.

“I think we’re running out of space to carry through the necessary infrastructure the Gold Coast need,” Mr Rix said. “I always felt The Spit should be made into a huge park for ratepayers and tourists.

Father and son developers Norm Rix and Greg Rix.

“It’s something magical. It gives the city room to breathe. I made contact with GECKO yesterday. It is rather unusual for the developer. As far as GECKO is concerned, we’re the common enemy.”

Mr Rix was born on the Coast, served on the city council and later built the Ashmore City Shopping Centre before expanding his commercial interests to the city’s fast-growing northern suburbs.

He predicts ASF, with its 45-level towers will set a precedent for height on The Spit which until now accommodated only three-storey buildings.

“I’ve admired GECKO with their sincerity on other issues — I’ve not always agreed, but here we are working for the same target,” Mr Rix said.

“We both agree the area should not be taken up by a casino. It will spread 45-storey buildings right along Seaworld Drive. The traffic will be chaotic if this occurs.”

GECKO’s Lois Levy welcomes the stand taken by Norm Rix. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

Mrs Levy said: “We were delighted to get support from an ally in a surprising quarter. It’s good to know there are people on the Gold Coast who see the value of The Spit.”