Community groups furious about $4 million of taxpayer money spent on mystery jetty plan at The Spit
The State Government and Gold Coast Waterways Authority are being accused of sabotaging the Spit master planning process by building a $4 million jetty at the Marine Stadium.
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THE State Government and Gold Coast Waterways Authority are being accused of sabotaging the Spit master planning process by building a $4 million jetty at the Marine Stadium.
In what is the biggest political blow-up since The Spit Masterplan was approved, community groups are stunned by authorities dumping plans for a swimming enclosure and small pontoon.
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The planning ticked off by community consultation showed a small circular swimming area at the north eastern tip of the Marine Stadium — not the stunning jetty and accompanying pontoon designs revealed in a Bulletin report this month.
Save Our Spit president Dr Steve Gration in a scathing 21-page report to the Waterways Authority calls on GCWA to abandon the jetty-pontoon final design, return to consultation and direct funding into water quality improvement strategies.
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Main Beach Association leader Sue Donovan has also backed the plan for water quality improvement, aware of the waste disposal by boaties in the area referred to as “Bums Bay”.
Dr Gration said SOSA considered the construction of the jetty to be “an abuse and sabotage of the good will, open discussions and up until now transparent community consultative process” conducted by previous State Development Minister Cameron Dick.
“The reasons presented in the ‘Fact Sheet’ by the GCWA ‘do not stack up’ to any rational, practical, environmental, ecological, economic and financial scrutiny”, Dr Gration said.
Dr Gration in his report said the pontoon was not part of the final Spit Master Plan 2019.
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“This proposal should have been scrutinised with the utmost due diligence through detailed technical reports, environmental impact studies, rigorous analysis and those reports and information made available to the public,” he wrote.
“This includes deep and wide community consultations with all key stakeholders prior to a ‘final design’.
“During the mapping and drafting of the final Spit Master Plan, key community stakeholders were not provided with any information or details regarding the type of “potential ferry service that might use the Marine Stadium as a stop”.
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Dr Gration has asked the Waterways Authority if a business case for a ferry-stop at the northern end of Marine Stadium was conducted, and would the ferry be restricted to the legally binding 6 knot speed limit due to nearby swimmers and small craft like kayaks.
Ms Donovan, a former boatie, said Main Beach residents supported more testing of water quality in the swimming area.
“There’s a lot of sewerage. The boats don’t have holding tanks. It’s a big issue, having water quality testing there,” Ms Donovan said.
A GCWA spokesperson told the Bulletin: “To help prepare for design work for this project, GCWA presented concepts for the Marine Stadium pontoon and jetty to several community groups, including the SOSA in late 2020.
“We wanted to ensure the proposal was in line with community expectations for the delivery of the Spit Master Plan. GCWA received positive feedback from all groups and proceeded with the design process on that basis.”
The spokesperson said GCWA would continue to engage with community groups and stakeholders as work continues to finalise the design of the facilities by early June.
The Spit Works Program allows for one third of the boardwalk to be built as part of this project, and funding had also been set aside for infrastructure to improve water quality
in Marine Stadium.
“GCWA is investing $300,000 in the 2021-2022 financial year to undertake investigations and modelling work to identify potential solutions for improving water quality in Marine Stadium,” the spokesperson said.
EARLIER: FIRST LOOK AT NEW $M PONTOON AND JETTY
THIS is the first look at The Spit’s latest big attraction — a $4 million pontoon and jetty planned for the Marine Stadium at the northern end.
The Bulletin has obtained new artist impressions of the project after seeking an update as the State Government embarks on community consultation.
The Gold Coast Waterways Authority is to stage several community information sessions about it from May 17 with details to come on its website.
Construction will start in August with the GCWA confident the pontoon and 100m long jetty will be done by February next year. For safety reasons, an exclusion zone will be introduced during construction.
Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Dr Steven Miles said the pontoon and jetty would improve transport to the top of The Spit for those travelling by water.
‘The Spit is surrounded by water on three sides, so it makes sense for it to be easier for people to access it by boat,” Dr Miles said.
‘Once complete, passenger ferries and recreational and commercial vessels will be able to pull up at the facility and drop people off to enjoy a day out at The Spit. This is part of our
Government’s ongoing commitment to the Spit and our investment in infrastructure that supports tourism on the Gold Coast.”
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the project would generate jobs for locals and opportunities for Coast businesses and community groups.
“The project is part of Queenslands economic recovery plan and is expected to create 13 jobs locally,” Ms Scanlon said.
“Being able to arrive by boat will create a new user experience for locals and visitors. Importantly, emergency services will also be able to use the facilities.”
GCWA acting CEO Jessica Bourner said the project was being delivered by the Authority under The Spit Master Plan.
The Government released the master plan in May 2019 after an 18-month consultation process with residents and stakeholder groups.
Labor prior to the State election in October last year promised $23 million worth of projects as part of a four-year works program to support the city’s economic recovery.
“During consultation on The Spit Master Plan, the community told us they wanted to see an improved recreational space and more transport options for accessing the Spit,” Ms Bourner said.
The GCWA would be seeking expressions of interest from construction contractors later this month with onsite works due to begin in August, she said.
Ms Bourner confirmed for safety reasons, an exclusion zone will be established only at the northern end of Marine Stadium during construction works.
‘We’ll be notifying boats moored in the area about the restrictions before works start and will provide updates through our website and social media accounts,” she said.
“Importantly, the foreshore areas we recently upgraded on Moondarewa Spit will remain open for the community to enjoy while work is underway.’
The facilities will create “safe, multi-purpose access via the water to the area” and includes the opportunity for a ferry connection to the top of the Spit during events.
GCWA said people would have the opportunity to fish from the jetty and “stroll along it or relax and enjoy the water views”.
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