Tate ‘talked up phantom’ Surfers site

MAYOR Tom Tate is being accused of using a “phantom” development to help convince councillors to sell the Bruce Bishop car park.

The Crime and Corruption Commission is investigating allegations the Mayor made false and misleading comments during a crucial debate last May as councillors considered whether to off-load the $60 million car park and use the money for the cultural precinct at Evandale.

Cr Tate said the allegations were “fantasy and fallacy” and that he respected the confidentiality of the CCC.

Cr Tate talked up a proposal at 3 Beach Road where he said the operator of the would-be boutique hotel claimed clients would arrive by public transport and that $1.3 million had to be paid in lieu of 45 car parking spaces.

In the May meeting, councillors debated the potential loss of car spaces at Bruce Bishop and a motion was put that the successful buyer would provide 640 public parking spaces and another 100 at no cost for community use.

Cr Young referred to 3 Beach Rd and asked how many others were on the books like it.

“I’ll answer. I know the development, it’s in Beach Road,” Cr Tate replied.

“That that (sic) boutique hotel is actually a backpackers,

SSP’s Deborah Kelly wrote again to Mr Dickson seeking more information, adding that the Mayor said the development proposed was “backpackers” and approval was given four years ago.

SSP searched the property file and the last approval given was for a boutique hotel in 2004 and extension given to 2008.

“As you can see, there is no such “backpacker approval” on file,” Ms Kelly wrote.

“This is very concerning, as the Mayor’s comments — this one and others made — and preference for the sale were clearly influential on the debate and the councillors’ decision to vote in favour of the sale.”

Ms Kelly asked “whether there is any truthful basis for these comments”.

In reply, Mr Dickson said development approval was granted by council in May 2004 for a 19-storey boutique hotel with an extension given until July 2010, but it had lapsed.

Ms Kelly yesterday referred to the hotel as a “phantom” resort because the site amounted to “rubble and construction fencing”.

The CCC is investigating the allegation by SSP that Mr Dickson has “steadfastly failed” to correct the public record in relation to statements by the Mayor.

Mr Dickson has welcomed any investigation.