SPIT IN YOUR EYE

Survey sinks protesters’ bid to lock up city asset

NEARLY 80 per cent of people polled in an independent survey commissioned by the State Government support tower development on the southern Spit, despite loud and robust campaigns by minority groups.

But traffic congestion has emerged as a major worry, with residents and businesses saying it must be fixed.

AN overwhleming majority of residents, businesses and tourists support taller buildings on The Spit as long as traffic congestion is fixed.

Independent research by consultants Colmar Brunton for the Department of State Development found 78 per cent of people support one or more taller buildings for the area south of Sea World, Main Beach.

Half of the respondents also believe seven or more storeys is acceptable for development in the Broadwater, and onefifth regard 21 or more levels as acceptable for The Spit and Broadwater.

But this is only if traffic issues can be addressed and the development creates jobs.

After interviews with 1500 residents, 400 businesses and more than 400 holiday-makers, the consultants also found:

● About 27 per cent were extremely favourable to development and another 37 per cent “not as strong in their opinion”.

● Employment opportunities were regarded the biggest benefits from development with 41 per cent support.

● An initial divide in opinion about development of The Spit and Broadwater with 36 per cent of people not favourable.

Key findings also include The Spit needs a clean-up and another bridge from Southport would help traffic gridlock.

The Coast received a massive livability tick in the survey

results – the northern end was favoured compared to the south – and more than a quarter of businesses supported a cruise ship terminal.

Respondents said the city has to “move with the times” and agree to development, adding that “we just have to be smart about it”.

A respondent in a group feedback session said: “You worry. You tend to consider the worst outcome, which in this case would be for the whole Spit to become a concrete jungle and another Surfers Paradise”.

The support for development occurred amid concern about the future impact on traffic and parking, and the environment.

Residents (37 per cent), businesses (26 per cent) and tourists (50 per cent) said they loved the natural environment and walking to the beach.

The Palaszczuk Government is opposed to development on the northern end of The Spit and the City Plan allows for only three-level buildings in the south.

The ASF consortium is about 18 months away from its $3 billion integrated resort on a 5ha site south of Sea World being fully assessed by the Government.

While ASF is negotiating for towers of up to 45 storeys, council officers in September last year recommended against Sunland’s proposed two 44level towers at Mariner’s Cove.

The survey found there is acceptance for building levels to go beyond the current height standards for The Spit.

In terms of buildings up to six levels, 43 per cent of tourists gave their support, followed by 30 per cent of residents and 38 per cent of businesses.

If the number of structures was kept within reason – 65 per cent of the community agreed to buildings between one and 10 levels – then much clearer support emerged for taller buildings.

“The introduction of a few very smartly designed towers with usable lifestyle precincts for all visitors would be great,” a survey respondent said.