Mayor Tom Tate calls for funding for Greenheart project

Mayor Tom Tate has revealed why he’s had a change of heart on a major park project.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has called for renewed funding for the city’s Greenheart project. Picture: Lawrence Pinder.

MAYOR Tom Tate has defended his turnaround in calling for renewed funding on the city’s Greenheart project after having earlier concerns about flooding.

Councillor Tate in a general business item at a full council meeting today called for a briefing on the city’s biggest parkland proposal at the first council meeting after the March 28 poll, and for funding to be considered at a special budget meeting.

He said the council in June 2019 adopted a budget allocating funds to continue a master plan for the Greenheart.

“The Greenheart is of major significance to the city and will deliver important benefits for grassroots sport, the environment and major events,” he said.

“Our economy is built on the foundation of the enviable lifestyle the city offers. As such, and given the importance of the project in underpinning key elements of that lifestyle, it’s important that the new council be briefed on the project.”

But Councillor Peter Young questioned the Mayor on why he has changed his position “so dramatically”, aware of a mayoral directive to council CEO Dale Dickson in April 2017.

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Cr Peter Young speaking at the final Gold Coast City Council meeting before the 2020 election. Picture: Jerad Williams.

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Cr Tate wrote to the CEO of his experience dealing with flooding in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

“All these flood and weather events have all reaffirmed my view that the city should not be investing ratepayer funds into any continuation of the ‘Green Heart’ master plans of the past,” Cr Tate told the CEO.

“Specifically, there is little point in the city investing ratepayer funds in creating park land, and park facilities that is so easily and regularly wiped out by this area’s function as a major flood plain for the central part of the city.

“Please discontinue work on ‘Green Heart’ flood areas and concentrate efforts on existing parkland creation and upgrade projects across the city.”

Cr Tate told Cr Young the council, at the time, had to focus on the Commonwealth Games, which required $260 million for new infrastructure.

He admitted the floodplain was a major concern but a lot of work was later conducted which had “overcome those concerns”.

In September 2017, the council announced a central park at Robina as part of a creating a large scale botanic garden with a $10 million stage one masterplan.

Robina-based councillor Hermann Vorster welcomed the Mayor’s recommendation, which was backed unanimously today by councillors.

He said the development of the parkland would provide much needed sporting infrastructure.