Cruise ship death knell
Bungy proposal would cut cord on terminal
APPROVAL of the Skypark bungy attraction at Philip Park will kill off the offshore cruise ship terminal earmarked for that section of The Spit.
City leaders in behind doors discussions with Skypark proponents admit that if the state government and Gold Coast City Council back the bungy proposal it would end any chances of a cruise ship terminal (CST) at its preferred location.
The A.J Hackett thrill park includes a bungy tower, giant swing and zip line, along with a free to the public Southbankstyle sand pool, ocean viewing tower, parks, gardens and cafes.
The proponents say the existing car park will not be built on. It will be expanded.
“This is the cruise terminal location, which the Mayor (Tom Tate) has agreed to drop in favour of Skypark if it were to win support from state and council officers,” a source said.
The Bulletin asked Mr Tate what would happen to his “pet project” given the new attraction would take up all of the terminal space.
“A.J Hackett are an iconic company and we welcome their interest in the Gold Coast given the constant need for new tourism infrastructure,” he said.
“The suitability of their proposed site at The Spit will depend on community consultation and ultimately state government consent since they are the landowners at Philip Park.
“But if A.J Hackett were successful in delivering their project at Philip Park, we can look at other options for the CST if and when the timing is right. At this stage, the CST is on the backburner as we wait to see how the industry recovers post-Covid.
“We look forward to receiving an application in due course and assessing it on its merits.”
Sources suggest the Mayor at a meeting with Skypark representatives suggested several Broadwater sites. They looked at six locations but their preference is Philip Park.
A source involved in talks said: “It was the state’s advice that we assess this site (Philip Park).
“We’re in discussions on land tenure and process with the State Investment Attraction Agency, which is performing a state co-ordination role, and most recently with the new chief investment officer at council.”
The state government when preparing the Spit Master Plan made it clear the planning process would not determine whether a cruise ship terminal should go ahead or be stopped.
A council design showed the terminal building on the Philip Park site, costed between $400 million and $650 million.
The “alternative” was an “attractive and landscaped area” with low-key parking including a covered area for events such as Aboriginal cultural experiences.
Council in late 2020 parked the CST with councillors diverting $1.25m in the Strategic Priorities Reserve for “the Port of Gold Coast”.
Mr Tate early last year on ten years in office said he hoped the CST would be revisited.
“If there is a change of attitude at a state level it could happen – and my personal preference is that it could come into the Seaway,” he said.