$2m for cruise support

paul.weston@news.com.au

Council sources suggest the money will cover four aspects, involving the preparation of paperwork for the project.

The $2 million funding compares to $1 million budgeted for the cultural precinct and $1.7 million to Study Gold Coast.

Council has already spent $860,000 on a consultant’s report yet to be made public.

While much of the budget is discussed in closed sessions, recommendations are on open papers and show the spending ticked off by Mayor Tom Tate and backed by economic development committee chairman Hermann Vorster.

After council voted 10-4 last week to move forward with the cruise ship terminal case, Cr Tate said ratepayers would not fund the physical delivery of the project.

He said the first priorities as the project moved forward included preparing the terms of reference for the State Government and “to look at market testing”. “I would like to see a letter of intent from major cruise companies, and ... let’s look at the costs of the project itself. We don’t want Brisbane to monopolise the cruise ship industry.”

The Mayor estimated it would take 18 months before council was prepared to make a formal presentation to the State Government. The council will need Government support because the terminal requires use of Crown land at Philip Park opposite Sea World.

“I want the significant boxes ticked. It will be illogical for them to say no,” Cr Tate said.

Asked whether he had spoken to overseas consortiums including Chinese interests about building and operating a cruise ship terminal, Cr Tate confirmed private discussions had occurred.

He said he was confident the decision to move forward and invest ratepayer money in the next stage of the project would “bear fruit”. “I’m not doing it for an exercise.”

Cr Glenn Tozer, who voted against proceeding with further studies, supported the budget funding. He believed the right path was for the $2 million to be obtained from tourism-related businesses through a levy.

Cr Vorster explained reason for his support.

“We’re not at the point where a decision needs be made. We’re still at the point where we are conducting our homework,” Cr Vorster said at council. the