THERE
would be no such outcry against Gold Coast City Council’s decision on Tuesday to sell Bruce Bishop Car Park if the buyer were required to maintain the parking during the rebuilding period and into the future.
But to allow the developer to demolish the lot and have 40 per cent of Surfers Paradise off-street parking unavailable for three years, will be ruinous for business.
Parking charges will skyrocket in the remaining carparks and staff will be unable to afford to work in Surfers.
Some major companies are already planning to move out, resulting in increased vacancies, plummeting property values and much reduced rate revenue for the council.
Have the councillors who voted in favour of this sale thought through the inevitable consequences? Plus the cost to ratepayers of defending an action in the Supreme Court with little chance of success.
Don’t forget, it’s our money you are squandering, and we won’t forget when the next election comes around.
And what do we get for it? A pedestrian bridge to allow a few Chevron Island residents to walk to performances at the Arts Centre? I don’t think so Mr Mayor! ALAN MIDWOOD