The Spit Master Plan: Village Roadshow Theme Parks calls on Qld Government to act quickly

Theme Park operators have given the State Government a deadline to organise potential commercial land opportunities on The Spit in a bid to fast track investments.

THEME park operators have given the State Government a mid-year deadline to organise potential commercial land opportunities on The Spit in a bid to fast-track investments.

The push to resolve land deals is outlined in submissions by operators and tourism leaders to a parliamentary committee preparing a report on the Spit Master Plan legislation.

The Government will consider and respond to the committee’s report once it has been tabled in the Parliament on February 7.

The Spit master plan process – a new aerial showing Sea World and Sheraton Mirage.

In its submission, Village Roadshow Theme Parks (VRTP) said the implementation of the master plan must be quick to ensure “certainty for businesses wishing to invest in the Spit”.

VRTP executive chairman and CEO Clark Kirby said the group’s parent company was making capital allocation decisions for assets across Australia.

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“VRTP is hopeful that the State Government will identify the relevant project proponents by no later than 30 June 2020,” he wrote.

The Spit master plan – the options report, showing the area around Sea World.

“To that end, although the draft Bill addresses the unallocated State land to the State, VRTP would welcome amendments that streamline the transfer process for land from the State to the successful third party acquirers.”

The theme park operators also warned that any development should not negatively impact on existing business operations in the area.

The Bill should require the Gold Coast Waterways Authority to ensure any new development was managed in a way that “minimises the economic impact on existing businesses”.

In its submission, Destination Gold Coast urged the Government to streamline the process for release of land. Most of it is around Sea World and Marina Mirage and Mariner’s Cove.

“Time is of the essence to responsibly deliver catalytic and supporting projects that will meet or exceed the needs of visitors from our priority source markets,” Destination Gold Coast chief executive officer Annaliese Battista wrote.

The Spit master plan options report – showing a potential fisherman's markets.

“There is a significant risk to our local economy if the Gold Coast fails to match or exceed the pace of global tourism experience development.”

Save Our Spit has sought reforms in the Bill to ensure revenue collected from current and future commercial leases on The Spit is dedicated to the Waterways Authority’s ongoing capital works program rather than placed in consolidated revenue.

The Government is securing more than $5 million annually from The Spit. A spokesperson said a market led competitive process for access to development sites will start soon.