Former Gold Coast mayoral media adviser working for cruise ship terminal consortium ASF

MAYOR Tom Tate’s former media adviser has been appointed as a strategist for ASF consortium as it finalises plans for a proposed cruise ship terminal.

A day with Mayor Tom Tate. 10.30am 13/6/12, meeting with staff, Chief of Staff Wayne Moran and Media Advisor Simone Holzapfel in the Mayors office.

MAYOR Tom Tate’s former media adviser has been appointed as a key strategist for the ASF consortium as it finalises details for its planned $7.5 billion Broadwater cruise ship terminal.

A search of latest entries for lobbyists provided to the Queensland Integrity Commissioner reveals Shac Communications Pty Ltd has received paid services from ASF since late September.

Simone Holzapfel, a former adviser to Cr Tate and press secretary to Tony Abbott, is a partner in the media communications company.

The contract was inked as ASF revised its plans for Wavebreak Island and prepared to roll out a new round of community consultation.

ASF has reached a critical stage in negotiations with both the State Government, council and the community with a decision to be made in the next few months determining whether it embarks on costly environmental assessments.

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Lobbyists are not shocked by the timing of Ms Holzapfel’s link with ASF.

Lobbyists are not shocked by the timing, giving the example of several Brisbane politicians who retired only to hook up as representatives of development companies while their contacts in George St remained fresh.

“ASF would be using her as a conduit to Tom Tate and the mayoral office. That would be the reason they employed her. They are not dumb,” a lobbyist said.

Ms Holzapfel resigned from council in February 2013, indicating she would pursue “commercial ventures”.

While she was close and maintained a strong working relationship with Cr Tate, she had clashed with his mayoral chief of staff Wayne Moran.

Before resigning, Ms Holzapfel worked in the office of chief executive Dale Dickson, focusing on major projects including the cultural precinct, city brand, Vision 2020 and ultimately the Broadwater Marine Project.

She said yesterday her role with ASF was not limited to that of lobbyist and added the process required transparency so that all political meetings were recorded and noted.

Gold Coast Cruise ship concept terminal plans for Wavebreak Island in the Broadwater.

“My history before I opened Shac, I had three years at Leighton Contractors as head of corporate affairs information and media. In addition to my understanding of local political issues, it allowed for experience in local projects,” Ms Holzapfel said.

“I don’t believe there is any conflict of interest ... It’s a very transparent process.”

ASF local project director Tim Poole said Ms Holzapfel would be involved in upcoming community and stakeholder consultation.

“Her previous role as a lobbyist is not really relevant here. Shac Communications are one of a number of consultants on the project working very hard at the moment,” Mr Poole said.