Dear Premier Newman & Mayor Tate,
We the people of the Gold Coast & beyond ask the Newman State Government and Gold Coast City Council to:
1. STOP the integrated resorts casino/ ship terminal development proposed by ASF for the Gold Coast Broadwater immediately. We do not want the public open space and waterways of our Broadwater sold off to a foreign consortium and destroyed by high rise casino/ hotels/ apartments and a ship terminal; and
2. extend the Moreton Bay Marine Park to create a Broadwater Marine Park to protect the waterways, habitat and islands (such as Wave Break Island) & including the Northern Spit, to enable existing community recreational and sustainable commercial uses (such as diving for example) - but to prevent the recurrence of inappropriate development proposals such as those of ASF.
The Broadwater is a social, environmental and economic asset to our city which locals and tourists alike use and love, and we do not want its natural beauty and character destroyed by high density urban development or a ship terminal. The development proposed will entail millions of m3 of dredging which will destroy the habitat for dugongs, dolphins. migratory birds and over 450 species of marine life in the Gold Coast Seaway. Proposals to construct a huge development for 15,000 people mid Broadwater will create a visual abomination and severely impact upon traffic, infrastructure and population in adjacent suburbs like Southport, Labrador and Runaway Bay, leading to the M1. Finally, the community loves and uses its magnificent Broadwater and islands as its boating, swimming, sailing, fishing and recreational heart. This development will destroy this freedom and privilege, and change the beautiful face of our city forever.
ASF can construct its development on private land it purchases like every other developer who invests in our city. We do not need to sell off precious public open space and waterways to attract investment. Further, the Broadwater as a shallow estuary of great environmental significance, is completely inappropriate for a ship terminal and consideration should be given both to extensive scientific research into offshore options and to optimising passenger shore visits from terminals constructed in Brisbane.
ALP government elected in a hung parliament - we are here to hold them to this promise - & we are determined to protect the Broadwater forever through extending the Marine Park and protecting Wave break island and the northern Spit. https://www.facebook.com/save.exec/photos/a.260879020775659.1073741828.260878920775669/328656367331257/?type=1&theater
ASF have just admitted that their development mid Broadwater will entail 20,000 residents - from the "Chinese market". Southport LNP MP Rob Molhoek now says that he has no problems with the "visual amenity" (size, scale) of the project - Broadwater MP Verity Barton has not signed our petition nor promoted it or assisted us since early Sept - these MPs will not stop this project. Our campaign is now PUT LNP LAST to stop the Newman Govt green lighting this project - after the election. We will fight them FOR our beaches. http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/asf-says-wavebreak-island-could-be-home-to-20000-people-once-resort-and-terminal-completed/comments-fnj94j0t-1227191512942
10,000 signatures reached
ASF fast-tracking environmental studies to come out just after the expected election in March - in the context of the State granting the Cairns IRD project an environmental 'green light' ... do they know something from the State that we do not?
Local paper concludes "The [State Government] move to delay a decision was made in an attempt to defuse the controversial project as an election issue." http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/cruise-ship-terminal-consortium-forges-ahead-with-broadwater-environmental-studies/story-fnj94idh-1227161195688
NEWSFLASH - The State Government, with an election due within months, has just announced that they will not, despite previous promises, tell the people if the ASF project is to proceed before the election. This came only 2 days after over 3000 people packed into the Broadwater Parklands to oppose the ASF project. The GC Bulletin has questioned if this is to avoid the electoral backlash. Save Our Broadwater believes that the State hopes to neutralise the issue during the campaign and plans to approve the project post the election. The issue is now - for all groups opposed - a VERY HOT election issue... and supporters are urged to vote to save the Broadwater from the Newman govt.
RALLY IS THIS SUNDAY - Southport Broadwater Parklands main lawn/ stage at 11 AM. Please come everyone - the State is deciding whether to 'green light' this now. Time is short. SEE YOU THERE :)
HELP us to grow our petition & send an auto email to politicians - all at www.saveourbroadwater.com/how-to-help
5,000 signatures reached
URGING everyone to also send an email to the decision-makers - they are deciding NOW. Can u enter your name, email and select which pollies you want to send it to - if so pls go here and go for it - www.saveourbroadwater.com/how-to-help
The Latest ASF design pic for this massive development proposal is now available. The State has suddenly (it seems) realised that they are giving away over $611M of land via Wave break Island and $80- 100M re a 5-7 hectare parcel on The Spit - see https://www.facebook.com/save.exec/photos/a.260879020775659.1073741828.260878920775669/295036420693252/?type=1&theater
1,000 signatures reached
Photo taken at ASF structured "information session" revealing the potential extent of their plans- blocks = highrises
https://www.facebook.com/save.exec/photos/pcb.290236004506627/290235767839984/?type=1&theater
500 signatures reached
100 signatures reached
50 signatures reached
