Missed by weeks Election cost the Coast $7b project
THE Newman government was just weeks from approving ASF’s $7 billion Wavebreak Island development when it lost power, Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls has revealed.
Mr Nicholls, who was treasurer in the one-term government, said progress was being made on ASF’s plans before the January 31, 2015 election forced the conservatives from power.
“The LNP ran a competitive tender process for new integrated resort developments and ASF was short-listed as part of that process,” he said.
“The LNP was on track with plans to make a decision on the resort licence and associated gaming licence in early 2015.
“Appropriate planning and environmental approvals would have followed this process.”
ASF’s plans for a cruise ship terminal, casino and integrated resort on Wavebreak Island were unveiled publicly in early 2014 and divided the community and political leaders.
It was scrapped in April 2015 by the Palaszczuk Government which, in turn, allowed ASF to go ahead with plans to develop an integrated resort on a 5ha site south of Sea World.
The project is understood to include up to three highrise towers, each well above the three-storey guideline in the council’s City Plan.
Mr Nicholls said if returned to government at the next