Deputy Premier’s public statements suggest stance on Wavebreak Island cruise terminal resort plan
GOLD Coasters could go to the polls without being told what effect their votes will have on the states’s biggest ever development proposal.
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GOLD Coasters could go to the polls without being told what effect their votes will have on the states’s biggest ever development proposal.
However, statements by Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney, who has ultimate responsibility for the $7.5 billion integrated resort planned for Wavebreak Island, tell a tale of their own.
In contrast with his enthusiasm for the Queen’s Wharf development in Brisbane, Mr Seeney’s comments on the Gold Coast proposal have been conservative and noncommittal.
As part of our Gimme Five 2015 election wish list, the Gold Coast Bulletin is calling on the LNP to show its hand on the project before January 31.
Proponents ASF submitted their detailed proposal in November but last month Mr Seeney said a decision would not be made until after the election, citing his insufficient understanding of the proposal’s technical and environmental aspects.
“I can tell you today it has nothing to do with the election,” he said at the time.
Labor candidates for Southport, Burleigh and Broadwater have made public statements saying they do not support the project.
So what do Mr Seeney’s statements suggest about his support for the proposal? You be the judge.
On the Brisbane proposal
DECEMBER 22, 2014: In a media release titled “First exciting glimpse of plans for Queen’s Wharf Brisbane” Mr Seeney speaks for eight paragraphs about how great either prospective project would be for the city.
DECEMBER 22, 2014: Mr Seeney tells media: “We have a once in a generation opportunity to revitalise this area to create a destination that not only attracts international visitors to our city, but also opens it up for the people of Brisbane to enjoy”.
DECEMBER 23, 2014: Mr Seeney tells media both Brisbane proposals have exceeded the Government’s expectations.
“We are very, very pleased with the process to this point,’’ he says. ‘We look forward to what will be a difficult task of finalising this assessment process.”
On the Wavebreak proposal
AUGUST 26, 2014: In an 18-paragraph media release, the only mildly-positive statement from Mr Seeney was not about the project itself, but about protecting the community from it:
“We recognise that these areas are important to locals and our decision will ensure significant areas of public open space on The Spit can continue to be enjoyed by the community.”
MAY 27, 2014: In a media release, Mr Seeney announces ASF’s proposal has been short-listed for a casino licence. Eight months later, this remains the most positive public statement he’s ever made about the project.
“The ASF Consortium has indicated its Broadwater integrated resort and cruise ship terminal could create 1300 construction jobs and more than 10,000 ongoing operational jobs.”
MAY 29, 2014: Mr Seeney tells media the projects short-listed for casino licences could miss out “if there is no progress” on them.
“If the licences aren’t taken up by the two projects that are short-listed, then in time we may reconsider some of those other projects.”
Last week, he hinted that a Great Keppel Island project that missed out on preliminary casino approval could be in with a chance.
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