Southport MP Rob Molhoek slams claims he tried to sell old Ridgeway TAFE campus to private developers

A Gold Coast MP has rebuffed claims by his Labor opponent he tried to sell off a controversial abandoned TAFE site “to the highest bidder”.

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A GOLD Coast MP has rejected claims by his Labor opponent that he tried to sell off a Southport TAFE site to private developers.

Southport MP Rob Molhoek has been accused of planning to sell the old Ridgeway TAFE site by Labor’s Southport candidate Susie Gallagher, despite backing a push to gift the land to the city.

Ms Gallagher last week promised the site would remain in public hands after a $1 million investment to convert it into green space, taking aim at the sitting MP.

Susie Gallagher. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The community is very excited the Palaszczuk Government has taken these steps and delivered on promises to keep the site in public ownership,” she said.

“They haven’t forgotten Rob Molhoek’s plans, under the Newman Government, to sell off the land to private developers, which would have denied the community precious green space.”

Talking points on the issue sent to Ms Gallagher by Employment Minister Shannon Fentiman instruct her to say Mr Molhoek attempted to “sell the site to the highest bidder”.

The notes were provided to the Bulletin by Ms Gallagher.

But Mr Molhoek in 2014 sponsored a petition by community leaders to hand the site over to Gold Coast City Council.

He told the Bulletin on Tuesday he “absolutely refutes” Ms Gallagher’s claims.

“I worked with the community in 2014 to have the site taken off the market, when it was identified as surplus to the needs of (the Education Department),” he said.

“I’ve been working with the community ever since to secure a pathway for the site and see it retained as recreational and community space.

Rob Molhoek with Southport residents after it was announced the site would be demolished. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“Labor’s Shannon Fentiman agreed only to commit two-thirds of the site for community purposes, stating she wanted to sell the balance of the site to recoup costs and funding for her department.”

A Bulletin report this year revealed taxpayers were paying up to $500,000 a year for security and maintenance on the site.

It was slated to be demolished in April 2020 after almost a decade of community pressure.

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