The Spit opinions sought
First master plan consultation stands ‘pop-up’
DEVELOPMENT, a dog beach and a cruise ship terminal were the hot topics for the future of The Spit during the first three consultations for the area’s master plan.
Described as the “most important thing for the future” of Main Beach, the master plan consultation attracted a wide range of responses.
The State Government consultation is about finding out what the public wants with a “pop-up” stand set up at the off-leash beach on The Spit yesterday.
Notes were posted on a board displaying what residents had already been saying.
“No buildings past Sea World, three storeys blends in but five to six might be okay,” 71-year-old Frances from Biggera Waters wrote.
“Some places need to be kept to look at rather than lived in.”
A lot of those who responded wanted to keep the dog beach and many wanted the area kept as a natural park.
The controversial cruise ship terminal had both support and opposition.
Nerang resident Karen Redding said she often came to the area as it was one of the few green spaces left in the city.
“The Spit is a really good community area for family gatherings through to community activities that are based here,” she said.
“I would really like it to stay as it is.”
The State Government only announced the consultations for the master plan on Friday, leaving many people in the area unaware the consultation process had begun.
About 180 people offered opinions at the three pop-up stands on the weekend, with the majority unaware of the consultation until they came across the stand.
Main Beach Association president David Hutley said the master plan was a key to the area but admitted publicity could have been better.
“This master plan is the most important thing to happen to us for the future,” he said.
“We really need as many Main Beach people involved and also people right around the Gold Coast.”
State Development Minister Cameron Dick said there would be a total of 16 pop-up sessions and the public could also have their say online.