REMEMBER WHEN

BY July 1993, the Albert Shire Council had less than two years left before it was amalgamated with Gold Coast City Council.

But with shire leaders, including Mayor Ray Stevens, yet to find out the Goss Government’s plan, they pressed ahead with their plans to regulate development in environmentally sensitive areas.

The Goss Government released its SEQ 2001 regional planning discussion paper on July 29, 1993, which contained zones of environmentally sensitive land where development could be banned.

Local Government Minister Terry Mackenroth warned there would be no compensation paid to real estate speculators who bought land in the “no-go” areas.

“The argument of paying a lot of money in the hope (the land can be developed) is not a valid argument,” he said.

Among the land expected to be declared off limits were around 3000ha of land at East Coomera which had been set aside for the failed multifunction poles proposal.

Meanwhile, the Queensland Police Service’s successful break and enter squad had experienced a break-in of its own.

Thieves broke into the Broadbeach Police Station overnight on July 15, taking two .357 magnum pistols, handcuffs, a television and a typewriter.

South East Region Assistant Commissioner Laurie Pointing told the Bulletin police were “extremely worried” about the theft.

Mr Pointing, who retired from the force the next day, said officers had no leads in the mysterious theft.