Minister Cameron Dick launches extraordinary attack on Gold Coast Council planning chair Cameron Caldwell in row over Main Beach tower

STATE Development Minister Cameron Dick has today sent an extraordinary letter to council planning chair Cameron Caldwell following claims made about controversial Main Beach tower on a Sydney shock jock’s radio show

STATE Development Minister Cameron Dick today launched a hand grenade at Gold Coast City Council planning chair Cameron Caldwell about the handling of the controversial 20-level Main Beach tower project.

Mr Dick, in a letter sent today to Cr Caldwell, challenged the accuracy of a statement Cr Caldwell made about the project in a text to Sydney radio broadcast king Ray Hadley.

In the text, Cr Caldwell claimed changes to the Gold Coast City Plan on building height limits had been “done already, but currently sitting on the Planning Minister’s desk”.

But Mr Dick responded that “nothing is currently on my desk nor sitting with my Ministerial office in relation to this matter”.

He also attacked council’s proposed changes to the City Plan, saying they contained “flaws”.

Queensland Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick. Picture: AAP

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The response sparked a furious spray on air this morning from Mr Hadley against Cr Caldwell.

“He’s (Mr Dick) not very happy with the Gold Coast Council,’’ Hadley said.

In his letter, Mr Dick said council chief executive officer Dale Dickson had written to him on June 8 proposing about 50 amendments to the City Plan.

Some of the proposed changes related to building heights around the existing light rail corridors — including the proposed site of the controversial 20-storey tower.

“The letter from Mr Dickson did not highlight any urgency or priority regarding these amendments,” Mr Dick wrote.

The controversial 20-storey development approved for Main Beach.

The submissions did not provide enough information for the department to undertake a full assessment, he added.

“I am advised that at this point, council is yet to provide the information that is required for my department to complete its assessment of the amendments,” Mr Dick wrote.

Department and council officers are due to meet today to discuss the matter.

“I have instructed my department to provide council officers with clear and unambiguous advice on the flaws contained within the proposed major amendment package and what action my department believes the council should take to immediately rectify this situation,” Mr Dick said.

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Mr Dick remains “open” to a revised planning changes by council which could be fast tracked.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has sought a response from Cr Caldwell, who this morning was in a meeting.

Mr Hadley told listeners: “So back in June Gold Coast City Council knew the project they approved this week to go ahead to 20 storeys was one that should not go ahead on the eastern side of Main Beach Parade.

“Instead of deferring a decision until the planning department had more information on the proposal they went ahead and approved it.”

He said the five councillors who voted against the project were right.

“The CCC is already there investigating a number of matters … maybe they should start taking a look at why the council approved this 20-storey tower on the beachfront, on the western side of Main Beach Parade,” Mr Hadley said.

“Go for your life – on the beachfront, why it was approved when council back in June had already decided had a bit of a problem with it. And they blindly went ahead with it. One needs to ask why. You’d hope it’s simply ineptitude.”