Councillor cruise ship confusion: ‘I certainly haven’t arrived at a firm position either way’

Two councillors who will face off against each other at the March election have outlined differing views on the controversial cruise ship terminal proposal.

THE two councillors who will face-off against each other at the March council election have different views about a cruise ship terminal (CST) for the Gold Coast.

Councillors Cameron Caldwell and Kristyn Boulton will line up in the new Division 4 which includes Labrador and Runaway Bay, taking in the Broadwater opposite to where council plans its Phillip Park offshore jetty on The Spit.

Councillor Cameron Caldwell supports a CST. Picture: Richard Gosling.

After announcing on Facebook that he would stand in the division, Cr Caldwell was asked by a resident about his position on the offshore CST.

The council outlayed $500,000 in 2018 and will spend a further $1.5 million on CST studies after Mayor Tom Tate gained majority support on the floor of council for his pet project.

“I have always supported the concept of a CST as long as it can stack up for economics, environment and engineering. We have invested some early work to investigate if it’s financially viable. My recollection was that the vast majority of that report was available publicly,” Cr Caldwell said.

He said the project was put on hold during The Spit master plan process but it has since allowed for “the concept to be pursued” given council support.

“It’s important to understand I don’t ever expect we as ratepayers will fund a CST, it would go to the market for a major infrastructure investment,” he said.

“The market would determine if it’s a viable investment or not, but the flow-on effects to the local economy would be positive overall.”

Councillor Kristyn Boulton at the Broadwater — yet to make a firm decision about a CST.

Cr Boulton has taken a more measured view saying the issue in the past four years had split her community.

“Residents tell me they are neither for nor against a CST but need to be convinced of the value of the project,” she said.

Some residents preferred a different location to The Spit and others wanted the council to devote funds to other projects like road upgrades and different tourism offerings, Cr Boulton said.

“I’ve supported pre-feasibility up to this point to try to determine if a CST would be economically, environmentally and structurally sound,” she said.

The Spit master plan with a cruise ship terminal.

“My rationale was the more detailed information and analysis provided, the more likely the right decision will be made for my community.”

Cr Boulton said boundary changes had cut her division in half, and it was important to consult with her new residents.

“I certainly haven’t arrived at a firm position either way at this stage. I will be listening to the views of the people and then taking those views up to council in due course,” she said.