EXCITING NEW TOURISM ERA

TODAY is a watershed moment for the city.

The Spit Masterplan will be formally trotted out for the Gold Coast to absorb; the State Government and the city council have revealed their substantial dollar contributions to turning The Spit into the city’s own “Central Park”; and a major player from the commercial sector has announced an exciting development that will give tourism a big leg-up.

While many attractions have been added to the Gold Coast’s list of tourism “musts” that draw visitors here, the city has not seen the opening of a major theme park in more than a quarter of a century.

That is not to say that developments have failed to measure up. Events tourism has become a major factor, with the Commonwealth Games last year the biggest event across the nation (and indeed all Commonwealth nations) and a major boost to the city's infrastructure.

Over the past 20 years hotels and apartment towers have changed the skyline and one of the key projects in the city’s transport plan, the light rail, has become a tourism attraction in itself.

But the Village Roadshow Theme Parks announcement of a $50 million investment splurge over the next 18 months, which largely centres on its proposed New Atlantis precinct at Sea World, promises a development that sounds very much like a stand-alone park in its own right. This is wonderful news for a city built on tourism, which demands constant reinvention.

The theme park operator is to be congratulated on putting up the dollars to push ahead with this revamp. It is a vote of confidence in its own future, in the tourism industry and in the city, and it is pleasing that Sea World is including public education on protecting and preserving the ocean environment as a significant part of the development.

Sea World is a leader in jumping in to protect marine animals when needed, and in research. The park is more than justified in explaining this role to the public.

A big part of Village Roadshow’s motivation in getting the ball rolling has been the development of the Spit Masterplan, which is critical in giving all stakeholders a blueprint for how The Spit and Broadwater can be used and preserved.

Its decision meshes with Destination Gold Coast’s new $2.6 million marketing initiative, aimed at boosting the “bread and butter” market, domestic tourists, through highlighting the city’s strengths – theme parks, iconic beaches, rainforests and casual family-friendly dining.

Earlier this year Infrastructure Minister Cameron Dick spoke of his excitement at seeing what the private sector would bring to the table as the masterplan was finalised. Yesterday we were given the first taste of that. It is important now that all sides that have been involved in the long and often tense debate surrounding the future of The Spit get on board.

Too many years have been wasted and too much effort and funding have been sunk into this for parties to start another round of playing politics.

The masterplan should deliver an asset for all the city, for tourism and, as a result, for the local and state economies. Families will benefit. The vision must outlast the political cycle.

TRANSPORT and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey wrote (GCB 21/5) that Gold Coast residents and businesses overwhelmingly supported expanding light rail to Burleigh Heads.

I’d love to know where he is getting his figures from, because the figures on the Department of Transport and Main Roads Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A “What you said” page show clearly that “about 750 people attending community drop-in sessions and 169 submitting feedback forms”. It also says that “over 500 people taking part in market research” and that “more than 2000 people visiting the GCLR3A engagement website with 969 completing the online survey”.

So, with a population of over 600,000, your idea of “overwhelming support” for light rail is 3250?

Even if every person of the above 3250 gave positive feedback, how can you equate that to “overwhelming feedback” for the light rail extension to Burleigh? It really is quite humorous. And it reeks of desperation.

A desperate government with no money, all to change zonings to allow for high-density developments. The slums of the future is what you and Mayor Tate are creating with your little yellow train set.

Your begging for funds from the Liberal Federal Government keeps us amused down this end of town. We don’t want your antiquated trams. We would all prefer the heavy rail be extended to the Coolangatta Airport, as this would actually alleviate congestion on the M1.

You are having one hell of a time

Entries close each Thursday at 5pm AEST. The winner is selected by 2pm AEST each Friday. Book of the month valued up to $49 (incl. of GST). Entrants agree to the Competition Terms and Conditions located at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/competitions, and our privacy policy. Entrants consent to their information being shared with HarperCollins for the express purpose of delivering prizes. Best letter competition runs until January 23 next year. View our privacy policy at https://preferences.news.com.au getting Stage 3A up and running. I suggest you look at upgrading the buses that service Broadbeach and beyond to Bustech Electric buses, made right here in Burleigh, because there’s no way we are letting your destructive trams through our Priority Koala Conservation Area on Burleigh Hill, let alone over our pristine Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks.

KAREN ROWLES, PALM BEACH

SCOMO, your policies didn’t win the election. Bolshevik Bill’s policies lost it.

Bill wasn’t offering cheap energy, good jobs and less government interference.

It’s not government’s job to make stuff happen; it is to ensure we have the freedom to do that. Here’s a suggested “to-do” list. Sell the ABC – we don’t need brainwashing; close the HRC – free speech underpins all other rights; end excise/tax/GST on fuels – it’s an instant pay rise for everyone; stop subsidising renewables – they don’t work and high power prices kill the economy; live within your means – stop borrowing, reduce your spending; repeal two regulations for each new one – regulations suck the life out of us; and expose the climate catastrophe hoax – it is endangering our advanced technological society.

Do those seven things and you may well be remembered as the best PM ever.

PETER CAMPION

IN Queensland, when talking about Adani the so-called silent majority is, in fact, a sleeping tiger and Palaszczuk and Trad would do well to keep in mind an old Chinese proverb: “If you kick a sleeping Tiger in