Election 2015: Gold Coast Cruise ship terminal causes wave of poll opposition

THE $7.5 billion cruise ship terminal is set to be the most explosive election issue. See where you candidates stand.

THE proposed $7.5 billion cruise ship terminal and resort at Wavebreak Island is emerging as the most explosive Gold Coast election issue – with most of the candidates opposed to the development and majority of voters in favour of it.

A Gold Coast Bulletin survey of candidates and sitting MPs found most were against ASF consortium’s plans for an integrated resort.

A ReachTEL poll, however, found 40.8 per cent of voters were most likely to vote for a candidate “strongly in favour of the current proposal” while 21.8 per cent were most likely to vote for a candidate “in favour of strictly regulated ... development”.

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Of those polled 34.9 per cent would most likely vote for a candidate who “strongly opposes any development”.

The proposed Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal is figuring as an explosive election issue.

A staggering 97.5 per cent would not vote for a candidate who did not have a clear stance on the proposal.

Experienced campaigners from the LNP and Labor agree the project will be critical to the poll outcomes in the Broadwater, Southport and Gaven electorates.

The LNP’s Verity Barton is under pressure in Broadwater, facing opposition from Greens candidate Daniel Kwon and Labor’s Penny Toland as they voice strong opposition to the development.

Labor Southport candidate Rowan Holzberger is noting the most outspoken comments in pre-polling are from anti-cruise ship voters, giving him some confidence in his bid to unseat the LNP’s Rob Molhoek.

In the Hinterland seat of Gaven, Independent MP Alex Douglas and Labor’s Michael Riordan are presenting a united voice of opposition to the project.

ALP and Greens candidates have been vocal in their opposition to the cruise terminal

The Palmer United Party candidates have balanced their response by arguing they were in favour of jobs but concerned about the impact the planned integrated resort and terminal would have on the environment.

The cruise ship terminal debate is showing signs of causing dysfunction in the Family First party.

Ron Nightingale said the party was in favour of the cruise terminal project. But Ben O’Brien, the young Family First candidate for Gaven, highlighted during public meetings the importance of the Broadwater area as a recreational asset.

“I’m not in favour of the proposal to develop Wavebreak Island,” Mr O’Brien told the Bulletin.

Several sitting LNP MPs have either given the development the tick or at least the assessment ­undertaken by the Newman Government.

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek, facing strong questions at a Main Beach Progress Association meeting, admitted he was not satisfied with the level of community consultation by the ASF consortium.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon admitted he was unsure about the project, adding: “I don’t think the $7 billion proposal will get off the ground”.

The Labor Party has reckoned on this issue being a winner and organised for all its candidates to stand on stage to be recognised by voters at the Lawson St meeting.

Broadwater Labor candidate Penny Toland said the cruise ship terminal was the main issue on the Coast.