REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Saturday, May 3, 2008

MORE berths for recreational and fishing boats and an operations centre for Surf Life Saving Queensland were added to the ever-expanding plans to redevelop the Southport Spit.

Premier Anna Bligh announced several new proposals for the area and a short list of developers vying to transform the 10ha site into a global marine tourism magnet with room for up to 30 superyachts.

Ms Bligh said the State Government was proposing developers include a Surf Life Saving Queensland operations centre in their bids for the redefined multimillion-dollar Gold Coast Marine Development Project.

She reiterated the Government’s vow not to build a cruise ship terminal on The Spit after suddenly abandoning the plan before the last election because of a greenie backlash.

“I want this to be something that everyone on the Gold Coast can be proud of,” she said. “It is a hugely exciting development and it will transform The Spit while preserving the cherished environmental beauty of the area. In line with the Government’s commitment, the redefined project does not include a cruise ship terminal on The Spit, nor any marina development in the Marine Stadium area.”

Facilities in Doug Jennings Park were to be improved and the 93ha Federation Walk and nature reserve areas was to be protected.

The development would be split into two areas, with the northern area comprising 8.2ha of land between Sea World and the Palazzo Versace and including the adjacent water.