Goldmine revealed in 1987 Queensland Cabinet papers

Hinze not interested in red tape

THE figure of the legendary Russ Hinze – the one time “Minister For Everything’’ – still loomed large in state politics in 1987 as the former cane cutter rode roughshod over local councils to get developments under way.

In one of his more stunning achievements, Hinze overrode 4000 objections lodged by the Mulgrave Shire Council as well as Local Government and Supreme court processes to rezone land at Trinity Beach north of Cairns for a tourism development.

Hinze, perhaps the most colourful politician to serve before the Fitzgerald Inquiry, stirred his tea with his finger, entered beer belly competitions and, as Racing Minister, owned a large racing stable.

Dr Tracey Arklay, Susan Horton and Jennifer Menzies of the Policy Innovation Hub at Griffith University, examined every Cabinet document from the 1987.

They said Hinze, the then Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and Racing used his powers to rezone land and usage numerous times.

“This was done to overcome opposition from local councils or community concerns, and many of the decisions directly benefited developers and members of the ‘white shoe’ brigade,’’ they found.

The Sanctuary Cove Resort Act, for example, was changed to add in 210 hectares of adjoining Gold Coast land for 500 more residential developments and a golf course.

In April 1987, Cabinet agreed to Hinze rezoning land bound by Queen, Albert and Elizabeth streets in the Brisbane CBD, which was to become the present-day Myer Centre.