SECRET COUNCIL TALKS
GOLD COAST councillors are weighing up pros and cons of megabucks projects behind closed doors with no public scrutiny coming any time soon.
Controversial or longawaited projects including an offshore cruise ship terminal and the now under way dive site are among those in a draft economic investment portfolio that’s been under discussion since late last year.
A city spokesperson said: “The city is not in a position to make information relating to specific projects available for the public.”
GOLD Coast City Council has a billion-dollar-plus list of major projects in the pipeline – but they remain secret, hidden from ratepayers.
The Bulletin can reveal that since late last year, councillors have been providing input into a draft economic investment portfolio being discussed behind closed doors at planning committee meetings.
The offshore cruise ship terminal proposed for Philip Park on The Spit and the dive site are understood to be part of the cost-benefit analysis.
Before the portfolio was drafted, Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer made public his support of several major projects in his division.
He confirmed potential costs and benefits of each project were being compared so the council could set priorities and allocate budgets.
“Because some projects have commercial implications, and for other reasons, the portfolio is confidential,” he said.
It is understood the costing changes regularly but “the collective economic impact of all projects might be billions over coming decades”.
“It is my personal opinion that each project should be assessed comparatively against others on individual merit, not just economically but socially and environmentally,” Cr Tozer said.
Asked if the list should be made public, he replied: “I think what’s important is that the public get to scrutinise claims made about supposed benefits of a given project, and compare them with the costs and benefits of other projects.”
Cr Tozer has asked that a science and technology centre, an equestrian centre, an energy research centre and a top sporting facility be added, and the Botanic Gardens be expanded.
The cost of building a 700m jetty out into the open ocean for the CST could be better spent on delivering “multiple other projects that deliver better proportional yield”, he said.
“That’s something the public tell me they want us to do – stop talking about old projects that have never been delivered and focus on deliverable major projects that can bring a new dimension to our economy, in tourism and other industry sectors,” he said.
A council spokesperson confirmed “due diligence” was being conducted on projects within the economic investment portfolio.
“Resolutions have not yet been adopted on a number of projects within this portfolio.
“As a result, and given the commercial nature of some of the projects, the city is not in a position to make information relating to specific projects available for the public at this time,” the spokesperson said.