Protestors fight $60 million development: ‘We do not want more koalas to be killed’

A Chinese developer planning a $60 million six-star Gold Coast health and wellness retreat is facing mounting protests — here’s why.

A CHINESE developer planning a $60 million six-star Gold Coast health and wellness retreat is facing mounting protests due to fears it will impact the environment and cause flooding.

More than 450 protesters congregated in Tallebudgera, along with respected Gold Coast architect Philip Follent to rally against the Ridong development.

Concerned Tallebudgera Valley residents attended the Death of the Valley Rally at Coplicks Park yesterday to voice their dismay for the project in the semirural area.

Ridong protest at Tallebudgera. Picture: Rosemary Ball

They believe the proposed 47.5ha site is too close to native wildlife and would increase the likelihood of destructive flooding.

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Tallebudgera floods. Picture: Supplied

Former City of Gold Coast architect Philip Follent said the development was in the “wrong place” and should be relocated to another area such as Hope Island.

“The environmental issues are insurmountable and from a cultural and aesthetic point of view it is not right for a development of this scale and style in a rural setting,” he said.

“An example of a suitable place is Hope Island. It has the infrastructure to support it, a modified landscape to start with and also the flooding infrastructure is accommodated easily.

“It does not here.”

GOLD COAST TO BE HOME TO NEW KOALA PRIORITY AREAS

Save Our Southern Valleys chair Jim Wilson said the five-year battle against the quasi-canal and high-density residential development intensified today.

He said residents wanted parts of Tallebudgera Valley to become a koala priority area, to develop a masterplan, and - if the City of Gold Coast went ahead with the plans - to provide flood map modelling with an independent report.

Tallebudgera resident Nicole Munro said: “We are scared. Simply put, Ridong does not belong and we do not want our wildlife to be Ridong’s roadkill”.

“We do not want excessive flooding or more koalas to be killed. So far 14 have been killed on the road near the proposed site this year.”

Koala on the road in Tallebudgera, near proposed Ridong development site. Photo: Supplied

Mr Follent said the city was at a crossroads and “at risk of overdevelopment”.

“The experience of the last flood during Cyclone Debbie has not been taken on board by the council to inform the modelling,” he said.

“It is perplexing when they are saying this is all ok.”

The Bulletin understands council officers are continuing to negotiate with the developer and a decision on the “wellness and tourism gardens” will not be made until next year.