Federal Environment Department gives green light to Gold Coast cruise terminal

THE Federal Government has ruled the Gold Coast Council’s proposal for a cruise ship terminal does not require further assessment under national laws — as long as they protect whales, dugongs and turtles.

The Federal Environment Department has given the green light to a Gold Coast cruise terminal along the Spit at Main Beach. Image: Supplied.

THE Federal Government has ruled the Gold Coast Council’s proposal for a cruise ship terminal does not require further assessment under national environment laws — as long as they take measures to protect whales, dugongs and turtles.

The department’s Assessments and Governance Branch assistant secretary James Barker decided the plans, which outline a base port servicing a terminal built on 6ha of public land on the Spit, was not a controlled action under Federal laws.

The Spit and Main Beach, where the Federal Government has said further assessment under national environment laws is not needed. Picture Mike Batterham

Gold Coast City Council submitted the plans for a base port including refuelling and migration facilities for referral by the department in March.

The department’s Assessments and Governance Branch assistant secretary James Barker decided the plans, which outline a base port servicing a terminal built on 6ha of public land on the Spit, was not a controlled action under Federal laws. Pic supplied. . Picture supplied

There were 57 public submissions made on it.

Mayor Tom Tate has called a media conference to discuss the decision this afternoon.

The department ruled listed marine species must be protected from noise created by pile driving activities for construction of the terminal, with trained staff required to watch the site for 30 minutes prior to work to ensure no animals are present.

A proposal for a Gold Coast base port cruise ship terminal submitted by the Gold Coast City Council to the federal Environment Department. Pic: Supplied.

Workers must also use a “soft start” for construction, with intensity of construction building up over 10 minutes as staff continue to watch for animals.

A proposal for a Gold Coast base port cruise ship terminal submitted by the Gold Coast City Council to the federal Environment Department. Photo: Supplied

The council is yet to produce a business case or funding for the $70 million proposal, which must still gain approvals from the State Government.

The 6ha site of the proposal, Philip Park on the Spit, was included in a public consultation by the State, with results expected by next week.

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