Spit ‘sabotage’ claim
THE state government and Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) are accused of sabotaging The Spit masterplanning process by building a $4m jetty at the Marine Stadium.
In the biggest political blow-up since the masterplan was approved, community groups say they are stunned that authorities dumped plans for a swimming enclosure and small pontoon.
The planning approved by community consultation showed a small circular swimming area at the north eastern tip of the Marine Stadium – not the stunning jetty and pontoon designs revealed in a Bulletin report this month.
In a scathing 21-page report to the waterways authority, Save Our Spit (SOSA) president Dr Steve Gration wants the GCWA to abandon the jetty-pontoon final design, return to consultation and direct money into water-quality improvement strategies.
Main Beach Association leader Sue Donovan also backed the plan for waterquality improvement, aware of the waste disposal by boaties in the area referred to as “Bums Bay”.
Dr Gration said SOSA considered the construction of the jetty to be “an abuse and sabotage of the good will, open discussions and up until now transparent community consultative process” conducted by previous State Development Minister Cameron Dick.
Dr Gration said in his report that the pontoon was not part of the final Spit Master 2019.
A GCWA spokesperson told the Bulletin: “To help prepare for design work for this project, GCWA presented concepts for the Marine Stadium pontoon and jetty to several community groups, including the SOSA in late 2020.
“We wanted to ensure the proposal was in line with community expectations for the delivery of The Spit master plan. GCWA received positive feedback from all groups and proceeded with the design process on that basis.”
The spokesperson said GCWA would continue to engage with community groups and stakeholders as work continued to finalise the design of the facilities by early June.
The Spit Works Program allows for one-third of the boardwalk to be built as part of this project. Funding had also been set aside for infrastructure to improve water quality in Marine Stadium.
“GCWA is investing $300,000 in the 2021-22 financial year to undertake investigations and modelling work to identify potential solutions for improving water quality in Marine Stadium,” the spokesperson said.