Gold Coast survey showing support for high-rises on The Spit will be used by the State Government

A SURVEY showing an overwhelming majority of support for taller buildings on The Spit will be used by the State Government to assess ASF’s integrated resort proposal.

A SURVEY showing an overwhelming majority of support for taller buildings on The Spit will be used by the State Government to assess the integrated resort project.

State Development has confirmed the Colmar Brunton research and the yet-to-be-released Donaldson report would help Cabinet in its decision on the $3 billion ASF resort.

“The Government recognises that The Spit and Wavebreak Island are close to the hearts of locals and visitors,” a State Development spokesman told the Gold Coast Bulletin yesterday.

ASF consortium proposed hotel, casino resort

“We have kept our election commitment to protect this area from developments which will destroy their public amenity.

“More detailed independent research and public consultation was undertaken earlier this year and will be also be released.

Ocean side on The Spit where a cruise ship terminal is planned. Picture by Grahame Long.

“The findings, including community concerns about accessibility and transport, will all help inform government’s decision about the rejuvenation of The Spit and ASF Consortium’s proposed integrated resort development.”

Sunland Group's Mariners Cove project at The Spit

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek yesterday welcomed the hard data on the Broadwater rather than having to “listen to the loudest and noisiest people who don’t want anything to happen”.

He acknowledged the division in the community about building heights and called for a master plan that would require residents and all groups to gather to discuss the region’s future.

“My personal view is not that important. As the local member, I’m saying let’s work with all the groups and council,” he said.

Main Beach Association president David Hutley tried under Right To Information get the latest survey. Picture: Richard Gosling

Main Beach residents remain divided about the height of buildings but united about the traffic problems.

The Main Beach Association said State Development had been reluctant to release the latest survey after it made applications through Right To Information.

“What was not made clear in the questions was that once one high-rise is approved for The Spit, the City Plan is destroyed and the way is open for many more,” MBA president David Hutley said.

“High-rises on The Spit equals an increase in traffic. Currently there is no creditable proposed solution to relieve the traffic in SeaWorld Drive, a dead-end street.”

But the Main Beach Progress Association, which had supported Sunland’s twin tower development at Mariner’s Cove and the Breakwater cruise ship proposal, supported the findings in the Government-commissioned survey.

The Main Beach Progress Association leaders (L-R) Howard Campbell, Georgie Brown and Andy McArthur walk down Tedder Ave, Main Beach.

“Their survey backs up a survey by the Main Beach Progress Association,” MBPA secretary Georgie Brown said.

“We don’t want residents (in these tall towers on The Spit). We want tourists. It should be hotel-style and overnight accommodation.”

The MBPA this year surveyed 81 residents, 57 workers and 30 local investors in Main Beach about building heights, traffic, parkland and beachside facilities.

The responses on building heights showed 42 respondents supported buildings above 12 storeys, 33 favoured mid-rises from four to 12 storeys and 30 backed the current three-level limit.

Save Our Broadwater vice-president Judy Spence said the Government survey contained false statements about development, maintaining no projects were being considered north of Sea World.

Save Our Broadwater Judy Spence. Pic by Richard Gosling

“The community has already fought off an ASF proposal to build a city on Wavebreak Island, now (Mayor) Tom Tate wants to take all of Philip Park on the beachfront north of the Sheraton for a cruise ship terminal,” she said.

“The local councillor (Gary Baildon) is in favour of turning the end of the seaway into a port. None of the land which the consultants told people was not allowed to be developed is safe.”

A LOCAL’S VIEW:

Pictured Kristina Wiese and Harrald Schreiber at the spit. Photo: Steve Holland.

KRISTINA Wiese streams past traffic on her way to The Spit from Southport during her daily rides.

The 65-year-old said she makes the 8km journey from Southport by bike because the traffic to the Spit is usually horrific — and she likes the exercise.

“I like to take my bike so I don’t have to wait,” Ms Weise said.

“On school holidays the traffic is especially bad. If (the roads) cannot cope with it now how will they do it in five years?”

Yesterday the Bulletin revealed independent research commissioned by the State Government suggested 61 per cent of residents supported building a bridge linking Southport directly to The Spit.

But Ms Wiese said she wasn’t sold on the idea.

“It depends on whether they considered riders and pedestrians,” she said.

“A tunnel (across the Broadwater) would be fantastic, but that would cost a lot of money and take a lot of time. It could be a solution.

“If they build a bridge (or tunnel) they would have to build a development.”

Ms Wiese, a nurse who describes herself as politically conservative, said she opposed development at The Spit.

It comes after the same research found 78 per cent of residents believe taller buildings were acceptable for The Spit.

However Ms Weise is among those who disagree.

“I think (The Spit) would be destroyed,” she said. “Why can’t we have space that isn’t touched?”