Council facing a rebellion

COMMUNITY groups are calling for the state government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the Gold Coast City Council.

At a meeting of 18 community groups, the alliance resolved to each write to Local Government Minister Mark Furner to ask how private business relationships were impacting council decisions.

Mr Furner said the independent Crime and Corruption Commission had conducted a thorough investigation already and the state government would implement 31 recommendations to address integrity and corruption.

Gecko Environment Council president Lois Levy said it was hoped another investigation would also result in more transparency in decisions made by the city council.

“We want an investigation which will show up how secretive this council is,” she said.

Ms Levy said of particular concern was “excessive relaxation” of the City Plan, the rapid destruction of koala habitat, reduction in public assets and decline in public space.

She said recent examples included the sale of Bruce Bishop Car Park, the approval of the Komune hotel development in Coolangatta and the proposed, but now scrapped, casino resort for Southport.

It was estimated about 200 people attended the meeting in Broadbeach, with 16 of the 18 groups speaking about council.

Save Our Spit vice president Darren Crawford said attendance at the meeting showed the community dissatisfaction with the current council.

The group said a majority of Gold Coasters opposed council’s proposed cruise ship terminal at Philip Park.