Gold Coast community groups band together to save Bruce Bishop Car Park in Surfers
LOCAL groups are disgusted at the lack of consultation and proposed sale of assets and deals done “behind closed doors”. But when will it end?
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OUR city’s community groups are joining forces to wage a war the council.
More than 300 people turned out to a special fundraiser this week, to stop the sale of the Bruce Bishop carpark in Surfers Paradise with members of local protest groups including Save our Spit, Save our Broadwater, Wildlife Queensland’s Gold Coast Branch and the People United, coming together to form one voice.
While some couldn’t make it, they were backing the key players in the campaign to save the car park “100 per cent”.
Save Surfers Paradise secretary Deborah Kelly, said the Chamber of Commerce put on a function and auction which raised “thousands of dollars”.
“We’ve had very strong support from day one but certainly the support has grown since then. Tom Tate’s name is mud with the people I speak to in Surfers Paradise, they are very unhappy about the decision to sell Bruce Bishop Car Park ...
“(not to mention) astonished about the mayor’s 180 degree turn from his position when he was president of the Surfers Paradise Chamber of Commerce and totally opposed the sale of Bruce Bishop car park.
“He understood then how much damage would be done to Surfers Paradise, so why is he pushing for a sale now?”
President of Wildlife Queensland’s Gold Coast Branch, Sally Spain, expressed her disgust at the council’s actions.
“This is a major carpark, an asset for the community, and should not be sold off instead of being properly maintained.
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“The council is coming under increasing question as to whether it’s fulfilling its role as the guardian of the city and promoter of assets. If they continue down this path, they’re shockingly disadvantaging the community.”
Unsure of whether their fundraising efforts and protests were in vain, group members say they’ll continue, until they’re heard.
“No idea what’s going on with council, if they are suddenly aware of public opinion it would be nice,” Ms Spain said. “Citizens seem to have to fundraise to defend what council should be defending.
“This carpark issue is just one of many that focuses attention on the carelessness of the Gold Coast City Council.”
It’s a sentiment mirrored by vice president of Save our Broadwater, Judy Spence.
“It’s not a Save our Broadwater issue, but we’ve joined Save Surfers Paradise, went to the function the other night to support them.
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“We think it would be a foolish move to sell it, it’s the only affordable and reliable car park in Surfers.”
She said not only locals who use the carpark during the day for work, and visitors, but the nippers and “wider population who patronise the RSL and the Surf Life Saving Club”.
“The council is very out of touch with needs of community, because they don’t speak to and engage with anyone.
“They never make themselves accountable to normal people to ask some questions.
Before I heard about this issue, hadn’t thought about the patrons, workers, nippers, where do they park.
“We’re very impressed with the people who are involved in Save Surfers Paradise and who are fighting to keep Bruce Bishop Carpark open. They’re intelligent, diligent people and we’re on their side.”
Peter Gration, president of Save Our Spit said their group had been in touch with Save Surfers Paradise members.
“We’ve shared information about decision processes that are not transparent. Philosophically, we agree with them.”
The unanimous agreement from all local community groups was highlighted by one sentiment — the lack of community consultation.
“It was all done behind closed doors,” Ms Kelly said.
“Lots of integrity issues are resonating with community groups — we’ll fight it for as long and hard as we can.”
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