Voters will be crabby if fisho co-op goes under
For more than five decades, the trawler fleet has been at The Spit. Residents and tourists buy fresh seafood there. Why is State Labor Government not immediately securing its future? This is one election issue Premier Steven Miles can solve quickly.
Labor cannot deliver a fast fix to cost of living, or to having more nurses and police. Those are just promises, like longer term funding for light rail or the Coomera Connector.
But by October, when you vote, you will know if fresh prawns remain at Carter’s Basin.
Or you’ll be reading about a big stink at that development site south of Sea World.
The Fishermen’s Co-op and community groups have started a petition. They are preparing signs which read “don’t let Labor trash our trawlers”.
Mr Miles knows the full story. When state development minister, his senior policy adviser met with the fishing co-op leaders early last month.
They complained about “an absolute mess” created by his senior department officers.
Their focus, they say, is finding a home for displaced tourism operators at Mariners Cove, and securing a decent financial return on creating a new lease for the prime waterfront site.
Emails obtained by your columnist show the Co-op’s limited lease has meant the area became rundown, without proper reloading and refuelling facilities.
Gold Coast Fishermen’s Co-op secretary Richard Hamilton, in seeking a 24-month extension to their lease ending in April, put forward what he believed was a reasonable offer. They pay about $20,000. At the Tweed, for a slightly larger area, their Co-op pays $30,000.
“It has the potential to be a significant Queensland and Australian tourist attraction offering an authentic seafood experience that is sustainable due to our well managed fisheries,” he said.
Community leaders are suspicious about State Development. The secrecy about the AJ Hackett bungee jump saga and now location of an Aboriginal cultural centre has them spitting chips.
Bureaucrats argue they must secure value for money for selling or leasing government land.
But how do you fit the Co-op, which needs more parking and space, into this site and accommodate the tourist boats? Is a commercial operator going to charge a low rental?
A Co-op supporter says: “These Co-op guys are not driving round in Maseratis.”
New State Development Minister Grace Grace says: “Boats selling fresh seafood to Queenslanders will not change. The tender will take into account the needs of all the stakeholders, including the fishing co-op, while balancing the financial, economic and community outcomes for all Queenslanders.”
A recent Gold Coast Waterways Authority survey found the most frequent Broadwater visitors were from Upper Coomera, Helensvale and Southport. Several possibly with faded Save Our Spit stickers on the bumper bars of 1980s hatchbacks clouded by engine smoke.
Labor cannot in any way afford to retreat from The Spit Master Plan, created by marathon rounds of community consultation, which ensured a home at Carter’s Basin for the Co-op.
It will be sunk electorally by green groups – and its own northern Coast voters.
Petitioners are approaching them. A Co-op customer said: “This public asset cannot be replaced. Wake up Miles.”
TOURISM BOSS ON BALL
Great work from behind the stumps by new tourism boss John Warn, with the Brisbane Heat now poised to play a BBL semi-final at Carrara.
The new Experience Gold Coast chief executive, an ex-chair of
Cricket NSW, weeks ago spoke privately to Cricket Australia aware there would be a lead-in time for preparing the Gabba wicket for the Test match.
This presented an opportunity for Heritage Stadium to host potential Big Bash finals, and enabled Carrara to pitch its case before other Queensland venues like Cairns.
“This presents a great opportunity for the Gold Coast to showcase Heritage on the national stage in peak holiday season. The pitch is a drop in and well respected in cricket circles – rated in the top two outside of Test venues,” he says.
CITY EXECS GOOD IN CRISIS
Big shout out to the senior City executives for leading the disaster recovery.
Councillors have given huge ticks to Mark Ryan who has run the disaster management centre, Luke Connery for heading up to the response and Ainsley Buffett for focusing on the recovery. Planning’s Aleisha Swain has taken a lead role in twice daily briefings.
Tim Baker has been given a solid report card from both elected representatives and senior staffers on his performance as CEO.
“I think his communication through the event has been the best they’ve ever had,” a council insider said.
COMMITMENT CLEAR
Council needs to open up the disaster briefings with councillors to the public.
Several committee meetings are being cancelled – they resume a month after disaster.
Councillor Peter Young, who has experienced the worst of damage to his property, believes everyone would be a winner from more transparency.
“It’s a shame these meetings are not recorded and shared because there is no doubt about the absolute commitment, respect, professionalism and genuine empathy that exists for the community from everyone involved,” he said.
CRITICAL COMMENT BINNED
A city councillor has been less than complimentary about murderaccused colleague Ryan BayldonLumsden.
A resident on Facebook suggested “Ryan” had a good solution about removing the extra green waste.
“You mean the suspended councillor who has not attended one emergency management meeting,” the councillor replied. The comment and another was later deleted.
Bayldon-Lumsden has been suspended on full pay since being charged with the murder of his stepfather. His lawyer has made a formal plea of not guilty to the murder charge.