Answers overdue on divisive Black Swan Lake controversy

WITH the imminent recommencement of filling Black Swan Lake for a carpark, residents are entitled to answers from Gold Coast City Council and Gold Coast Turf Club regarding the disparity of facts regarding this publicly owned property.

Why has Cr Gary Baildon not discussed the discrepancy regarding his toxicity claims with independent experts, even when the experts are standing beside him and with wildlife rescuers who refute dead wildlife claims?

Why is additional car parking required when the turf club’s existing car parks are empty and the Gold Coast Show is no longer to be held in Bundall?

Why are ratepayers gifting an estimated $12 million property to be used by the turf club and their sponsor for a paltry $1 per annum reimbursement, when it is to be used to derive income?

With 38,000-plus names on a petition to save Black Swan Lake and volunteers currently fundraising to buy bread and sausages for community BBQs to mount a legal challenge, ratepayers funding both sides of the legal argument deserve council accountability on how their rates are spent, particularly on mounting court and legal costs along with overdue answers on this divisive community issue.