A $4.9 billion dollar development has been proposed for Wavebreak Island. The birds eye view plan provided here looks striking (but is it the right location?), taking the quiet Island from its natural settings to a hub of activity. From the cruise ship terminal coupled with a large marina and all the locals visiting, there will be very much hussle and bussle going on around this new precinct.
Many changes will occur if this concept is brought to life, two terminals to cater for the cruise ships, numerous superyachts and an estimated 400 berth marina, will forever change the Island, the Broadwater, and a large slice of the Gold Coast. Also proposed are the 1500 room hotel, Casino and an Aquarium…..
There are well known for issues and against debates for such an under taking, I’m sure you have many more…
For
– An estimated boost to the economy
– An estimated 260,000 visitors
– New recreational facilities
– Jobs
Against
– Detrimental disaster to the existing sea and surrounding wild life
– Loss of one of the last remaining vassels of nature on the Gold coast
– Pollution
– Congestion on road and water
Not sure if you have dipped your head under the water there and dived or snorkeled the area, but if you have, you will notice that under the sea, there is a whole world of nature going that you do not fathom from above the surface.
You can leave any comments below or you can comment to Facebook. You can also read about this further in the Gold Coast Weekend Bulletin.
As a local businessman having live and invested here for the last 12 years, I would see this as a positive investment for the future of the Gold Coast.
I like the idea that a Singpore Group is interested in investing here as it will be well done with a truely international flavour.
It would be even better if they staffed it as well. Singapore understands, good ,snappy service at a reasonable price.
Well put Stuart, we are all for supporting our local business and this proposal will no doubt boost an ailing market. But nature needs to be preserved which will no doubt bear the brunt of the development.
I am supportive of the development proposed for Wavebreak Island. I know the Broadwater quite well and it needs extensive dredging incl.the Coomera River.
I think it’s brilliant ! If you live on the Gold Coast I believe you must realize the potential to put us back on the world map of tourism. To have an developer willing to invest 5 Bil into our town shows the potential we have to offer the rest of the world.
The design of world renown architect Desmond Brooks will also shine every asset the Broadwater has to offer. His track record of designing Entertainment Precints for the people is amazing. We are lucky he is a local and he too knows the broadwater s charm.
Bring it on! Can’t wait!
Lived on the coast for over 25 years. The Spit area is constantly too windy plus with cyclone seasons coming further south, constant dredging of the broad waters sand build up would cost rate payers more and more over years to come.
Who will pay for this? If Singapore development Sembawang are willing to maintain
And cover all expenses then this could be good for the coasts future.
The Spit and South Straddie would need to remain heritage listing or stay free of development for surfers and locals to have a place to enjoy without hundreds of people.
Straddie is the best most consistent wave on the north end of the Gold Coast.
Maybe Tom Tate should make a compromise and fix Narrowneck artificial reef so that it breaks in small and big surf with different swells and spread he crowds and we may be happier to see wave break go ahead.
How will the cruise ships turn around, where does all the waste go?
Fuel and oil spills more possible, which will harm marine life possibly.
As a North End Boardrider and ambassador of the ocean , I say keep it free, fuck the money, put it in Brissy and and transport them to GC with high speed train.
Moving to northern naw by 2020 by the sounds if we get too hectic here.
Maybe Fiji
Hey Si,
I too have been here for over 30 years. Seen the coast grow into at one stage a fantastic tourism capital. One to be proud of. But unfortunately we are relying on those from the past to take us into the future. People question why develop more if we can’t fill them today. Reason being is that we need to continue moving forward,positively.Hotels and shopping must upgrade,if not they turn into these white elephants. Imagine if we stuck with the single fin….
I believe that we all can work together to develop the coast in the correct way. Listen to each side and make compromises to both sides of the equation.
Protect and develop our surf breaks but we too have to give a little.
Like it or not we all rely on the tourism trade in some extant.
Regarding the wastes…I am to believe that this port of call is for day trips only. No refuel no waste dump.
Respectfully Si,we can’t just say fuck the money….if so we all will follow you to nsw or Fiji due to the gold coast will be no longer.
Darwin.
Well written Simon – Darwin if that is you defending your Dad’s design for Wavebreak then you should declare it. If you are not then I apologise. While the design may be considered “great” by some, I cannot see any proof that this project is Environmentally, Economically or Socially sustainable long term. Where is the EIS? Where is the money coming from? And why should we be selling of our assets and our jobs to foreign investors? Facts please. The Surfing Industry contributes billions annually to our economy – that money is already in our community. Destroy TOS and you destroy part of that industry.
WB is a massive over-developed white elephant in the making.Read more…
Says you.
Hey Darren,
First thing is that I always sign my name. I hide nothing. Unfortunately other Pages apparently saving sites have banned me and my point of view because They don’t want to hear it.Read more…
Great Darwin,
So now that you are in the truth telling mode, why don’t you let all the good folks know how much you and your family stand to gain if this knuckle headed idea goes ahead.
Cat got your tongue?
Please note that I am not stating any facts or figures regarding residential,retail,hotel capacity and dredging ….I am note a specialist in these fields nor,like some people claim to be.Read more…
Hey Darwin,
You didn’t have your last name on it until you were called on it. That is what I call dishonest.
With regard to those sites that have supposedly banned you – Maybe it is because the developers and their associates already get enough airtime in the Local papers and on the radio. These sites are for other people to have their fair say.
The Wavebreak Development is not for us. The Diving Industry use Wave Break and The Seaway as their training ground and Recreational Dive area. It is the only inshore dive site on the Northern GC. Brisbane businesses also use this for their training when weather is not suitable in Moreton Bay. You are proposing to decimate small Businesses that already struggle to survive by dredging The Seaway for a Development we don’t need or want. You are proposing to create jobs by destroying jobs.
To all other interested parties,
People need to get educated about the facts of all developments proposed for the Seaway and Broadwater. Save our Spit has all the history, the prevoius studies, etc. They are basing their opposition on documented information not self interest. They are not all Greenies. They are educated and informed individuals.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion but please do your research and make it an educated one.
Cat got your tongue ?
Mate….i haven’t stopped telling the truth,just some fine people don’t like hearing it. Let me rephrase that….MY point of view.So they gag me from their pages.
Regarding what me and my family get….? Um….Read more…
You just contradicted yourself….’everyone entitle to an opinion’…..except Darwin.
Regarding the dive sites…to make the turning circle for these vessels there would be new isle created. More choices for your divers….and more people/ tourist for your industry.Read more…
By the way…..my Facebook I D seems to appear on all my statements so I don’t quite understand the questioning of my honesty?
Here is the amazing thing that makes me laugh. For years I have watched these forums thinking should I contribute. Not for Desmond ‘s sake,i already believe he is a very talented man. i thought i would contribute as a Gold Coaster.Read more…
Local Surfer – whoever you are? I did not attack anyone with my posts today or use intimidating or abusive language, yet for some reason all of my posts have been deleted yet all of Darwin’s posts have remained.Read more…
Hi Darren, no comments have been deleted or blocked here. They should all appear on the site as written
I thought it went quiet. At no stage Darren did I feel you were attacking me with intimidation or abusive language so i am sorry I did not get to read your earlier post.Read more…
My interpretation of development is actually allowing all groups of society to enjoy ,not just some groups.
Bit touchy and one sided Darwin. Desmond has done very nicely out of the GC over the years.
We don’t need his swansong. Now to point out a few facts.
All of Wavebreak is a sacrificial sand bank with trees on part of it.
It was designed to flood and be a buffer in the event of a cyclone or storm surge.
Since it was built we have had neither. It has not been tested. Will Sembaweng insure the places up stream and at Runaway Bay against flooding.
Sembaweng propose 19,000 workers on build and 24,000 employees. WHERE DO THE CARS PARK?.
This is monstrosity. Little Singapore built on public land that should be left for future generations. Transition Cruise termnals don’t pay. Cruise companies are fair weather friends. We have lots of rough weather. How many ships will be able to enter ?
A terminal would be obsolete in 5 years with ever bigger ships, and Sembaweng would have the prime spot on the Broadwater to the detriment of all who surround it. Really ugly.
One question John, what is meant by Desmond has done very nicely out of the GC?
Darwin he has been fully employed, enjoyed his accolades, and is still working in his 80’s
I would say that he has done very well. You still seem a little testy.
An offshore terminal is the only option that makes any sense and is a win win for all concerned (except those looking to cash in at the expense of the GC of course). No dredging required at massive expense now and into the future. The seaway stays as it is for all to enjoy. Those who live up north want it down south and those down south say put it up north. I say put it in the middle right outside surfers, no one surfs there and they want to turn it into some kind of cultural precinct anyway so would make a nice show case for those coming off the boat and they can make use of the light rail going in either direction.
Only problem is that an offshore terminal doesn’t fit into TT’s agenda of grabbing land around sea world, upping the zoning to multistorey and letting his mates do what the heck they want with it. You just need to read his expression when fronted with the wave break option to know that this will never go ahead. Oh he gives the polite response of ‘all options will be considered’ but in reality deals have already been done and they were done long before the election when he was on the chanber of commerce.
And this leads me to the issue of his campaign funds with the majority coming from his Islander resort, brilliant. If I where running for office a large motel would be a perfect vehicle for raising campaign funds from vested interest parties using bogus events, functions and bookings, pushing them through the books and they come out the other end all nice and squeaky clean as campaign contributions from an interest I own, but I digress lol.
So in short, wave break proposal, shouldn’t go ahead because of the massive costs in on going dredging and will never go ahead because it is just a decoy in the eyes of TT.
Can’t wait for the tugun cruise ship terminal I think it a great place for it .
has anyone else been on http://wavebreak.com.au
The Broadwater is home to 6 of the worlds 7 species of sea turtles, all threatened with extinction. It is also the worlds most southerly significant refuge for Dugong which are listed as vulnerable to extinction in Queensland. Developing Wavebreak Island and The Spit, dredging deep channels and increasing boat traffic will be another nail in the coffin of these species. The Gold Coast has been developed so much that large charismatic animals no longer live in most places, the Broadwater is one of the few places where some still live and we can’t even leave it alone.