The Spit, CST: New cruise ship terminal plan dividing residents

Gold Coast residents are bitterly divided about new plans to allow cruise ships into the Broadwater, with demands “not another cent” is spent on the idea. WHAT DO YOU THINK? VOTE IN OUR POLL

Examples of a cruise ship terminal in The Spit master plan.

MAIN Beach is bitterly divided about a cruise ship terminal at The Spit with Mayor Tom Tate’s favourite project emerging as the council poll’s hottest issue.

The Bulletin sparked the debate after a report this week revealed the Main Beach Progress Association was supporting boutique cruise ships being allowed to enter the Broadwater and dock at the planned Southport superyacht facilities, or at the Seaway off Doug Jennings Park.

A Save Our Spit rally staged to protest over a proposed cruise ship terminal.

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The CST will be debated when The Bulletin stages its first free poll forum, for Division 10 and Division 12 candidates, at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club on Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm.

The council is spending more than $1 million on further studies for its preferred site at Philip Park for an offshore CST which the Mayor says private enterprise can build at a cost of up $600 million.

But the Main Beach Association, a powerful council lobby group with success in stopping ugly beachfront developments, has responded to the Progress Association stand by announcing its strong opposition to a CST.

“We don’t need to have read the unredacted PWC report to know that this project does not stack up on economic or environmental grounds,” MBA leader Sue Donovan told The Bulletin.

“Rather than spend another cent of ratepayer funds on this folly, council should be focusing on bringing cruise passengers down by luxury coach from the world class Brisbane International Cruise Terminal. The trip only takes an hour, much less than day trips from river cruise boats in Europe.”

The Main Beach Association has staged successful protests against high rise buildings on The Spit. Picture: Glenn Hampson.