Gold Coast cruise ship terminal debate: ‘Nice words won’t cut it’

Groups opposed to a cruise ship terminal are joining forces in a bid to scupper candidates in favour of the project. WHAT DO YOU THINK? VOTE IN OUR POLL

COMMUNITY groups are backing four sitting councillors and mayoral candidate Mona Hecke on their strong stance against the proposed cruise ship terminal at Philip Park on The Spit.

In a warning to many candidates, accused on Facebook of sitting on the fence, community leaders are telling them “nice words won’t cut it’.

The Spit master plan with a cruise ship terminal.

GOLD COAST BULLETIN ELECTION FORUMS: HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE

The CST is expected to be a hot topic when The Bulletin tonight stages the first of the You Decide election forums inviting candidates from Division 10 and 12 for a debate at the Kurrawa Surf Club at Broadbeach from 6pm. Tickets for the forum are sold out, but it will be live streamed at goldcoastbulletin.com.au.

Division 10 candidates at Main Beach Progress Association forum at the Southport Yacht Club last night were asked by residents to give a yes-no answer on a CST. The responses show they are divided on the topic.

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Save Our Spit in a post last month told its strong support base that mayoral candidate Mona Hecke was a long time supporter of SOSA and had been actively campaigning against the CST.

“Mona is asking for volunteers to assist at polling booths, either pre-polling or election day and you can help her by simply signing up,” SOSA said in a post.

Save Our Broadwater late on Wednesday this week in a Facebook post showcased a cartoon from The Bulletin on the CST debate and urged supporters to “make this a cruise ship terminal election”.

“Whether you agree or disagree us, this is and should be one of the biggest issues of this council election,” Save Our Broadwater said.

“Save Our Broadwater will support candidates who will vote against any more council funds — our money, being spent on a cruise ship terminal.”

Cruise ship terminal options for Philip Park.

** DIVISION 10 AND 12 ELECTION FORUM: WATCH LIVE FROM 6PM AT GOLDCOASTBULLETIN.COM.AU **

SOB said Ms Hecke had confirmed her opposition to a CST and sitting councillors who voted against the project included Peter Young, Daphne McDonald, Glenn Tozer and William Owen-Jones.

“We want to support any candidate who confirms that they will not support any more ratepayers’ money being spent on a cruise ship terminal. Nice words won’t cut it. We want this simple commitment from candidates,” Save Our Broadwater said.

“Over $12 million of our money has been spent so far and lot more is going to be required to fulfil Tom Tate’s agenda. Don’t forget he told you not to vote for him if you don’t support it.”

The Queensland independent Co-ordinator General in November last year agreed to “co-ordinated status” for the CST which requires council to submit a detailed environmental impact statement.

It means a draft terms of reference will go out for “detailed” public consultation, then the council will prepare a EIS which again faces scrutiny from residents before the Co-ordinator General makes a final decision.

Mayor Tom Tate is hoping to keep the cruise ship terminal project alive at a site to be at Philip Park, Main Beach. Picture: David Clark.

Details provided by the Government show the proposed project includes a 950m jetty, a wharf with a swing basin, mooring and berthing areas and a platform to transfer luggage, passengers and supplies.

A 780m breakwater running parallel to the shore at Main Beach will need to be built to “protect the terminal and ships from ocean swell”. If successful with the bid, council’s plans include a terminal building in the park.

After the council budget in June last year, Councillor Tate indicated he had not lost his passion for the divisive project, telling The Bulletin: “We will be doing a business case. The next bit is an environmental impact study. That is what the funding is for.

“We tick those two boxes then it will go to the State Government for the tick. The people on the Gold Coast want it, whether it happens in a year or two it doesn’t really matter, as long as we get it for the city.”