Premier Campbell Newman kills off Bilinga cruise ship terminal plan

UPDATED: PREMIER Campbell Newman has killed off the Kirra cruise ship terminal plan. But what does he think about the Broadwater proposal?

Mick Fanning speaks out about the cruise ship terminal that could ruin the Kirra break. Pic: Save Kirra Instagram

PREMIER Campbell Newman this morning indicated the cruise ship terminal proposal for the Gold Coast's southern end might not be the only one dead in the water.

In a radio interview that followed the Bulletin's exclusive story, Mr Newman said prospects for a Broadwater cruise ship terminal, put forward by two different consortiums, were "not looking healthy".

Mr Newman suggested there were both economic and environmental barriers to either proposal going ahead.

"It looks very difficult," he said.

EARLIER: A MASSIVE protest planned for the Gold Coast's southern end could turn into a celebration instead after Premier Campbell Newman quashed plans for a $2 billion cruise ship terminal.

Speaking exclusively to the Bulletin, Mr Newman stated: "There would be no cruise ship terminal at Kirra Beach.

"While we always welcome new ideas about how to grow the state, we will simply never entertain the idea of a cruise ship terminal at Kirra Beach.

"Our beaches are just too important - not just as a natural wonder or as a place for families and surfers - but also for the central role they play in Gold Coast tourism.

"Tourists have flocked back to the Gold Coast this summer - it's been the best holiday period in years - and our magnificent beaches are one of the big reasons why."

The Gold Coast Ocean Terminal proposal has been canned by Premier Campbell Newman.

Are you glad the cruise ship terminal plan for Bilinga has been canned by the Premier? Tell us in the comments section below

His comments come just two weeks after local billionaire developer Bob Ell relaunched plans for the Gold Coast Ocean Terminal at Bilinga.

The integrated resort proposal included a cruise ship terminal and superyacht facilities, plus hotels, a casino, apartment and shops.

Right from the start there had been strong opposition to the project thanks to its closeness to one of the world's best surf breaks at Kirra Beach and the requirement for 1km of beachfront land.

Locals were concerned Kirra beach would be ruined by the cruise ship terminal.

World surfing champion Mick Fanning and former champ Joel Parkinson are among the high-profile group campaigning against the Bilinga development and pushing for a big turnout for Sunday's paddle-out.

Fanning in particular has been campaigning hard against the Bilinga terminal on social media.

Lobby groups pushing to stop the Bilinga and Broadwater terminals recently joined forces in the hope of influencing the Government by showing a united front.

Mick Fanning speaks out about the cruise ship terminal that could ruin the Kirra break. Pic: Save Kirra Instagram

But Mr Newman made it clear yesterday that the Broadwater cruise ship terminal plan was still on the table.

One of the locals planning to attend the protest paddle-out is Tamara Casey, who this week said she could see few positives from the Bilinga plan.

"What does the community gain from it?" she said.

Lorene McAllon agreed, saying locals would probably move if the proposal became a reality.

"Imagine the monstrosity that's going to go on out there," she said.

"We don't need it here."

The Save Our southern Beaches Alliance applauded the premier and said the paddle-out would still go ahead, but not as a protest.

"This is a huge victory for all those who campaigned so hard against such a devastating proposal for North Kirra,'' spokesman Andrew McKinnon said in a statement.

"We will use this victory as a celebration to paddle out proudly on this Sunday.''

Surfing world champion Mick Fanning enjoys the waves at nearby break Duranbah recently.