(sent 10-10-2007)
Mr Peter Challenger
Project Manager IDG

cc: Mr Paul Toloui-Wallace
Peter Lawlor, MP
John-Paul Langbroek, MP
GCCC Councillors

Dear Peter,

Oceanway Pathway- Sheraton Mirage to SeaWorld
Schematic Sketch Plan Report

We refer to the meeting held on Wednesday 26 September 2007 in relation to the above proposed pathway development, which extends from the Sheraton to the Federation Walk on The Spit.

As you know, Save Our Spit Alliance Inc (SOSA) have been actively engaged in ensuring the preservation and protection of The Spit for almost three years, and in particular, in the promotion and ultimate acceptance by the State Government of the GCCC Vision 2020 plan for certain limited development of specific state-owned lands south of SeaWorld Resort on the western side of The Spit. We are grateful for the opportunity to be consulted with respect to the 'Final Draft' of the Schematic Sketch Plan Report and thank you for including us in that process.

As indicated in that meeting, SOSA does not and will not support the schematic sketch plan mooted. We are therefore somewhat concerned that it is referred to as the final draft, as surely, consultation is expected to have some impact upon that document. We thank you for allowing us the opportunity to speak at length during the meeting and to avoid any doubt about our position, we wish to reiterate the following critical points:

1. the proposal to bulldoze a pathway 6 metres wide through the sanddunes and bush is totally inappropriate and will be strenuously resisted by SOSA. There is a vast differential between the type and location of pathway required through urban areas such as Main Beach compared to the area immediately north of the Sheraton. In other words, this area is the natural transition area and should therefore, be preserved as natural, in anticipation of the commencement of Federation Walk.

We put the view strongly that the existing pathway through Phillip Park is perfectly suitable in location, albeit requiring improvement. It could, with far less resources and environmental damage, be beautified to meet the ocean pathway requirements as to traffic and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). There is no basis to suggest that a natural forested view to either side of the pathway is any less attractive; indeed both variety and shade, and the transition to the natural feel of Federation Walk are better addressed by the investment of resources within the existing pathway footprint.

We must also point out that shade and trees are both attractive and necessary to reduce sun exposure of those using the path and to combat rising temperatures associated with global warming. More Gold Coasters are affected each day by skin cancer than have ever had their safety threatened on this - or any- area of The Spit. In fact and as the Police will confirm to you, The Spit is a low risk area for crime on the Gold Coast and the risk is far greater amidst the concrete of Cavill Avenue.

2. We note that the Draft Plan offers nothing to redress the current appearance or amenity of Phillip Park north of the Sheraton. We think this a serious deficiency if indeed the purpose of this continuation is to service our increasing population and that which may or may not occur due to possible development of certain parts of the western side of The Spit. Nor does the plan offer lighting which is acknowledged in promoting CPTED, whereas the existing pathway is already lit, albeit a maintenance upgrade would be required.

We would also point to the fact that over 30 kms of concrete pathway exist south of the Sheraton (with minor breaks, notably in the Narrowneck area), such that extensive access to the ocean is readily available already, without the destruction of coastal trees important both to the character of the area and to the maintenance of the dunal environment against erosion and weeds. Numerous access points to the beach already exist at the Sheraton (3) and at the Federation Walk carpark (2).

3. the proposal to build a concrete pathway north of The Sheraton is unnecessary and detrimental to the natural character of the area. Wheelchair access is not impeded by hard crushed rock pathways along existing tracks, which will minimise environmental impacts and enhance the natural experience. We would point to National Parks, walkways in places like Noosa and elsewhere where recourse to concrete is avoided without any loss of amenity or usage. In addition, such pathways entail far lower physical impact or stress upon both runners and walkers than that afforded by concrete.

We must also raise the caution that any continuity of the concrete to Federation Walk will inevitably encourage proposals to continue the concrete to the northern end of The Spit. Such proposals would impact adversely upon Federation Walk and The Spit, regardless of current Council intentions.

4. We note comments such as alleged "inappropriate uses of the area" north of The Sheraton and the concept that CPTED will overcome this. We put the view that any inappropriate uses of the area whether by homeless persons or others, are matters to be dealt with by the Police. As is obvious, many people regularly use the area and have no complaint with respect to these alleged issues.

Again, we point out that local Police confirm that crime levels on The Spit are extremely low.

5. The proposition was also put that there will be increasing user demands placed upon the area arising from the development of the western Spit. As we all know, the nature and character of any such development is and will remain unknown for some time. We therefore think that if this issue is to be a consideration, it does not justify the destruction of trees along the beach. Quite the opposite in fact, it should encourage the retention of existing trees and further planting, as a contrasting natural shaded area and as a windbreak to the developed western side of The Spit.

The approach taken to the park area should be to improve what currently exists pending the outcome of the State Government development processes.

We would also point out that development of the western side is supposed to support and protect the north and eastern side as a natural parklands for the community; therefore funding of anything to the east ought flow or at least be assisted by funds obtained from the leasing out and development of the western areas south of SeaWorld. This should include maintenance of natural pathways. We must point out that even if crushed rock/ gravel requires greater maintenance than concrete, the cost would be worth bearing to preserve a unique and different natural environment as is found in this area. In addition, such paths would be cheaper to create initially and far easier to reinstate in the event of severe weather conditions.

We would refer you to other high use tourist and community locations which have selected crushed rock for reasons of preserving the natural feel: for example, Healesville Sanctuary and many parts of the famous Sth Yarra 'Tan running track in Melbourne, and much of Noosa national park.

* * *

For these reasons, we put the view that the decision to be made here is one which ought hinge upon the intended character of the area and those immediately adjacent to it; that is, the area is a potential special environment for parks and passive usage, with a winding pathway - nestled in a wind-protected parkland on the leeward side of the dunes, which is quite different and distinct to everything which has been constructed south of it.

This green treed environment then moves into the natural dunal coastal walk that is Federation Walk; in other words it is a green and treed transition to the natural coastal wilderness of the Walk.

We therefore request that the Draft Plan be redesigned so that:

- the pathway runs along the existing path through Phillip Park (connecting with those coming from the west) through the parklands areas until ceasing at Federation Walk;
- it incorporates the proper planting, restoration and maintenance of the natural vegetation;
- the existing lighting should be restored (at least during certain hours) to meet the CPTEP objective; and
- the pathway ought be in a crushed rock hard form, rather than a 3 or 6 metre wide concrete path.

We are available to discuss any of these matters further at your convenience.

Yours faithfully,

Kate Mathews Hunt
Representative
Save Our Spit Alliance Inc.

Steven Gration
President
Save Our Spit Alliance Inc.

Other Articles

Jan 22, 2024 The 'forces of darkness' still active »
Jul 27, 2023 Australian Bush Medicine »
Mar 10, 2023 Council & State Attempt to Trash Spit Master Plan »
Dec 24, 2022 Drawing a Line in the Sand (Dunes) »
Mar 21, 2022 Australia's Best Beaches »
Nov 16, 2021 Foreign company given our beach for free »
Oct 14, 2021 Beach Bar Trial - All Splash No Substance »
May 6, 2021 Dunes - Nature's way of defending the coast »
Jun 26, 2020 AGM 2020 »
Jun 3, 2020 Tourism Gold Coast - part 3 »
Jan 14, 2020 Tourism Gold Coast - part 1 »
Jan 13, 2020 Tourism Gold Coast - part 2 »
Dec 16, 2019 AIR POLLUTION - Beyond the Haze »
Dec 4, 2019 Casino Report - Bias, Omission and Error »
Sep 4, 2019 THE DOG who finally caught the car! »
Mar 14, 2019 SOS analysis of draft Spit Master Plan »
Feb 22, 2019 CHINATOWN »
Sep 25, 2018 A Critical Analysis of the Second Casino Licence »
Aug 13, 2018 CST Attempt #15 Tugun Farce »
Aug 11, 2018 New 'Research Queen' to head Destination GC »
May 30, 2018 Regional Excellence Award - Winners »
May 14, 2018 Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal »
Apr 24, 2018 The Games are Over »
Jan 27, 2018 Spit Master Plan process has begun »
Dec 18, 2017 Spit Upgrades Launch »
Nov 24, 2017 Developer Donations Buying Favours and Influence »
Nov 22, 2017 Why we cannot trust them with Our Spit »
Nov 14, 2017 Supporting those who support us »
Oct 27, 2017 Bill for CST investigations could reach $12.5m »
Oct 7, 2017 In any other State but Queensland »
Sep 15, 2017 ABC 4 Corners probe GCCC re donations »
Aug 1, 2017 You Won - Spit Casino Cancelled »
Jul 31, 2017 SOSA AGM Monday 7th Aug »
Jul 5, 2017 Feasibility Study Costs »
Jun 6, 2017 Election promises? Not worth a cent! »
May 9, 2017 Silent Minority Exposed »
Apr 27, 2017 Collective Amnesia at CCC Hearing »
Apr 6, 2017 Light Rail loop-hole »
Mar 22, 2017 Consultation Sunday 26th 10:30 am »
Mar 10, 2017 Australian: ASF Financial Viability Woes »
Mar 8, 2017 Big Public Info Night Thurs 9th 6pm »
Feb 26, 2017 Has Lynham done secret deals with Tate? »
Feb 11, 2017 So again nothing new here Tom »
Feb 9, 2017 Survey Does Not Stack Up »
Feb 8, 2017 Warning new group compromised »
Jan 25, 2017 Napkin sketches and a dot point list »
Jan 19, 2017 Have you been consulted? »
Dec 20, 2016 Appealing Attractions - Casino ranked last »
Nov 26, 2016 Four Levels of Corruption »
Oct 8, 2016 A Murky Week in Gold Coast Politics »
Sep 6, 2016 Sunday Mail Casino Debacle »
Aug 27, 2016 Sunland Absurdity »
Aug 19, 2016 AGM Monday 22 6PM »
Jul 29, 2016 The State of Play »
Mar 17, 2016 Change is in the Air »
Feb 4, 2016 Rally in the Park Chevron Is Sunday »
Jan 31, 2016 The Elected Obfuscators Bluff »
Dec 20, 2015 A Christmas Message »
Nov 2, 2015 Peter Garrett re Cruise Ships »
Oct 15, 2015 Last chance to lodge your objection »
Oct 2, 2015 Back to the 1980s »
Sep 5, 2015 Broadwater and Spit Masterplan »
Aug 29, 2015 How to Report Potential Official Misconduct »
Jul 13, 2015 XCAT Farce Paradise Lost and more »
Jun 11, 2015 GCCC under review »
Jun 6, 2015 Another Radical Private Development »
Jun 1, 2015 My fun is more important than yours »
Apr 29, 2015 Economic Fear Campaign »
Mar 26, 2015 Reflections on the Water »
Feb 16, 2015 Project Terminal »
Feb 2, 2015 Election Result Sinks Gold Coast Terminal »
Jan 16, 2015 Tell the Truth - Public Meeting »
Dec 25, 2014 And so this is Christmas »
Dec 24, 2014 Seeney not winning friends on Coast »
Dec 19, 2014 The Numbers don't Lie »
Nov 21, 2014 Save our Spit Photographic and Art Show »
Nov 15, 2014 Senate Inquiry »
Nov 3, 2014 Grand Theft Wavebreak public rally »
Oct 23, 2014 Cronyism Exposed Again »
Oct 6, 2014 Greywater »
Sep 20, 2014 Expert Against Coast CST »
Sep 4, 2014 3 Events to attend »
Aug 30, 2014 Deputy Premiers Announcement »
Aug 23, 2014 The Hidden VDM report »
Jul 26, 2014 Politics and Rumours »
Jun 6, 2014 A call to action »
May 3, 2014 Move over Julia »
Apr 30, 2014 Just suck it up and say NO! »
Apr 25, 2014 That is not consultation »
Apr 8, 2014 Full Page Newspaper Propaganda Ads Begin »
Apr 5, 2014 Report revealed »
Apr 1, 2014 April Fools Day with flawed survey »
Mar 24, 2014 Questions our GC Councillors must ask ASF »
Mar 14, 2014 Hey small spender »
Feb 24, 2014 Surf threatened by CST »
Feb 19, 2014 Tate considers quitting »
Feb 14, 2014 Live blog with Mayor Tom Tate »
Feb 14, 2014 Gration for Mayor 2016 »
Feb 5, 2014 Currumbin under threat from dredging »
Jan 28, 2014 What is a SLAPP Suit? »
Jan 15, 2014 It's a whole of city issue »
Jan 1, 2014 Cowards Lies and China Syndrome »
Dec 30, 2013 North Kirra Cruise Ship Terminal »
Dec 30, 2013 Mick Fanning speaks out on Kirra CST »
Dec 14, 2013 Councillors unaware of Brisbane CST »
Nov 29, 2013 Grand Theft Land »
Nov 16, 2013 The Hidden Urbis Report »
Oct 24, 2013 2013 Gold Coast Media Awards »
Oct 21, 2013 State vs State vs Mate »
Oct 19, 2013 What actually happened at the vote »
Oct 18, 2013 Dear Councillor »
Sep 12, 2013 Ship visits raise concern »
Sep 6, 2013 Vote 1 Save Our Spit »
Aug 24, 2013 Mayor Plays the victim »
Aug 24, 2013 Cruise Industry Forum Cancelled »
Aug 14, 2013 Secret Study values Broadwater at $4.1 b »
Aug 10, 2013 AGM 2012-13 Sep 10 7pm »
Aug 10, 2013 CST Bidder pulls out »
Jun 23, 2013 Cruise Ship Terminal in doubt »
Jun 6, 2013 Q and A info Night »
May 29, 2013 Joel cans Terminal idea »
May 22, 2013 AECgroup Business Case Analysis »
Apr 22, 2013 CMC probe into Oceanway »
Apr 14, 2013 Secret letters and meetings »
Apr 8, 2013 CMC under LNP attack »
Apr 4, 2013 Golden myopia »
Mar 16, 2013 Green Sea Turtle May have paid Price »
Mar 9, 2013 Golden Opportunity Missed »
Mar 6, 2013 Controlled Messaging Fails »
Mar 4, 2013 Open for Business »
Mar 2, 2013 Gambling with our coastline »
Feb 17, 2013 Gold Coast Waterways Authority Appointees »
Feb 9, 2013 Expressions of Interest Broadwater Marine Project »
Feb 2, 2013 Analysis of the navigational report 2012 »
Jan 26, 2013 Survey Called into Question »
Jan 19, 2013 Light Rail court battle with Council »
Dec 18, 2012 Bob Katter makes it a Federal issue »
Dec 18, 2012 Self-interest rather than vision »
Dec 13, 2012 A history lesson »
Dec 13, 2012 Land grab confirmed by report »
Dec 12, 2012 Community Information Session 10AM Thurs 13th »
Dec 6, 2012 Selling off our public land and water! »
Dec 5, 2012 Shoals vital to quality waves at Strad »
Dec 3, 2012 A bad week and month for LNP »
Nov 29, 2012 The unethical removal of Dr Alex Douglas »
Nov 25, 2012 No one voted for this »
Nov 13, 2012 Annastacia stands up for the community »
Nov 10, 2012 Father Son »
Nov 10, 2012 The Younger Generation Get It »
Nov 6, 2012 Rally gets Australia wide attention »
Nov 3, 2012 RIP Angus »
Oct 27, 2012 Ignored Tax and Rate payer »
Oct 27, 2012 Broadwater water quality degrading »
Oct 27, 2012 In Union there is strength »
Oct 20, 2012 Leadership not spin »
Oct 16, 2012 Comparing apples with apples »
Oct 12, 2012 Not the Panacea of Gold Coast Economic Woes »
Oct 8, 2012 Divide and Conquer - Trade Off »
Oct 5, 2012 Dawny lets us down »
Oct 3, 2012 Joel Parkinson - thanks »
Oct 2, 2012 Thanks for the support Occy »
Oct 1, 2012 Free Like Me »
Oct 1, 2012 Gold Coast Bulletin backs the people »
Sep 23, 2012 Sembawang disappears into a puff of logic »
Sep 21, 2012 Thanks for the support Kelly »
Sep 19, 2012 Mick Fanning is a legend »
Sep 11, 2012 Ship Terminal Sembawang Wave Break Survey »
Sep 3, 2012 No support for Sembawang Proposal »
Sep 3, 2012 A letter to the Premier »
Aug 28, 2012 Russ Hinze changed his mind 1980 »
Aug 22, 2012 Facebook saving our spit »
Aug 21, 2012 Is the Spit Man Made? »
Aug 14, 2012 The qu is NOT where but WHY? »
Aug 2, 2012 Lose Kirra or Straddie »
Jul 27, 2012 Hello SGC Business Leaders »
Jul 23, 2012 Cruise Ship Terminal - White Elephant »
Jul 17, 2012 Dear Mr Tate »
Jul 9, 2012 City Backs Terminal - NOT »
Jun 22, 2012 Join Us »
Jun 22, 2012 Public Open Space »
Jun 12, 2012 AGM 2011-12 Thurs 21 June 7 pm »
Jun 8, 2012 Dear Mayor and Councillors »
May 31, 2012 A Casino spitting ships »
Apr 26, 2012 Not printed in the local paper »
Mar 3, 2012 Kelly Slater video helps SOSA »
Feb 22, 2012 Broadwater Community Reference Group »
Jan 16, 2012 Cruise Mishap a reminder to us »
Sep 29, 2011 Broadwater Management Plan »
Jun 11, 2011 AGM 2011 Wed 13th »
Oct 22, 2010 Cruise Ship Tourists may not spend »
Aug 31, 2010 Another Broadwater plan »
Jul 20, 2010 Gold Coast Bulletin Frenzy »
Jul 14, 2010 A supporters spit »
Apr 29, 2010 AGM 2010 Tues 18 th May »
Nov 26, 2009 Rich dumping filth in our Broadwater »
Sep 14, 2009 ITU World Triathlon great for Gold Coast »
Sep 1, 2009 letter - Dead section of the Spit »
May 25, 2009 President has a SPIT »
May 13, 2009 AGM 2009 Wed May 27th 6-8 pm »
Apr 24, 2009 Medico supports SOSA »
Apr 1, 2009 Tides of Change - Have your say »
Mar 17, 2009 Navigational Study No Secret »
Feb 25, 2009 News Beatups »
Jan 11, 2009 Safely sharing the seaway »
Oct 24, 2008 Catalyst - invasive species by boat »
Oct 4, 2008 Save Our Spit Stickers Available »
Sep 22, 2008 Government Architect Mr Philip Follent »
Sep 10, 2008 Straddie saved from Receding Hairline »
Sep 4, 2008 Terminal Politicians »
Jul 4, 2008 Terminal terminated so Move On »
May 28, 2008 The Good, The Bad & the Ugly »
May 14, 2008 GCCC Bulldozes Spit Dunes »
Apr 19, 2008 Celebrate a few victories »
Mar 16, 2008 Domestic visitors spend $3 b on Gold Coast »
Mar 11, 2008 Council Election 2008 »
Jan 8, 2008 Christmas Greeting 2007 »
Jan 2, 2008 Letter to John Mickell MP »
Nov 21, 2007 Friends of Federation Walk new website »
Sep 26, 2007 Paul Lucas pushing Marine Simulator »
Aug 6, 2007 Developers on notice re Local Area Plan »
Aug 4, 2007 Protection for the Gold Coast Spit at last! »
Aug 4, 2007 Premier Beattie Saves Our Spit »
Jul 18, 2007 Spit Training Centre Threat »
May 18, 2007 Lessons from Los Angeles »
Apr 25, 2007 Another Storm for the Spit »
Apr 16, 2007 State Government Threatens Spit… Again »
Apr 13, 2007 Gold Medal Winner and the Spit »
Mar 27, 2007 Sean's letter »
Feb 23, 2007 Sea World Ferris Wheel Fiasco »
Jan 29, 2007 Reignited Protests »
Jan 19, 2007 Financial Review Article - Millionnaire Greenies »
Nov 17, 2006 Beach Spirit Award Winners - The Spit »
Nov 14, 2006 Cruise liner dumps oil in Paradise »
Nov 11, 2006 Developer 'Vision' Not 20:20, say Spitfighters »
Nov 9, 2006 Government plans for future Spit vision: Bligh »
Oct 13, 2006 What a difference 48 hours makes »
Sep 10, 2006 Government Speak »
Sep 10, 2006 Boating Industry views »
Aug 28, 2006 Super Yachts OK- in the Right Place »
Aug 11, 2006 The SpitFight Goes To Canberra »
Aug 5, 2006 Gold Coast Bully - Taken to Task »
Jul 14, 2006 Natural tourism drawcard threatened - Alan Midwood »
Jun 25, 2006 Greatest City Dive at Risk »
Jun 22, 2006 Whales Spotted in Proposed Terminal Site »
Jun 13, 2006 Our letters sent to Peter Beattie via Peter Lawlor »
Jun 11, 2006 Peta-Kaye Croft ignores her constituents on SOS »
Jun 1, 2006 Letter to Gold Coast Bulletin - I am not a Green »
May 31, 2006 A letter to Anna Bligh from Gecko »
May 31, 2006 Spitfighters Fight Back - Life Weekly article »
May 27, 2006 Sailing into murky waters »
May 20, 2006 Life Weekly Magazine article »
May 10, 2006 Gold Coast City Marina - Exposed »
May 3, 2006 Athletes fight to Save their training ground »
Apr 22, 2006 Notional Shipping Terminal Confirms Public Losses »
Apr 21, 2006 Save Our Spit- from Strength to Strength »
Apr 21, 2006 Overseas Cruise Ship Campaigners »
Apr 2, 2006 Gaven - Ominous warning to the Beattie Government »
Mar 30, 2006 What the Gaven by-Election Candidates said »
Mar 23, 2006 Gaven by-Election Media Release »
Mar 19, 2006 Peter Beattie meets SOSA at Robina »
Mar 12, 2006 An historical journey »
Mar 5, 2006 Surf cola »
Mar 5, 2006 Storm surf breaks across Seaway »
Feb 21, 2006 Labor 'greed' on tunnel fiasco - sounds familiar »
Feb 19, 2006 Surf Rage »
Feb 17, 2006 Surfrider - media release »
Feb 13, 2006 Gold Coast - too good for a shipping terminal »
Feb 13, 2006 Peter Beattie and co's dancing figures »
Feb 8, 2006 Master Mariner questions sanity of proposal »
Feb 5, 2006 Surfers promise to wipe out Labor »
Feb 5, 2006 Councillor Susie Douglas's inspiring rally speech »
Feb 3, 2006 Letters to the 'Bully' »
Jan 25, 2006 Surfrider says »
Jan 24, 2006 Pro Terminal threaten to attend rally »
Jan 12, 2006 Public Rally Feb 5th 12 noon »
Jan 11, 2006 Anna Bligh confirms it's not a done deal »
Jan 9, 2006 Who Murdered Mundaka - is Straddie next? »
Dec 21, 2005 MP's Ciobo and Langbroek not happy »
Dec 16, 2005 Ms Levy's band of do-gooders »
Nov 28, 2005 A new Picture - future Spit »
Nov 23, 2005 Anna Bligh and misinformation »
Nov 11, 2005 Bulletin gone quiet »
Nov 5, 2005 Surfrider Foundation's support »
Nov 5, 2005 US Forces get the nod »
Nov 1, 2005 The Global War on Tourism »
Oct 25, 2005 Are Cruise Ships getting too big? »
Oct 14, 2005 Meeting Tuesday 18th October SOS »
Oct 13, 2005 Brad Farmers Message - Letter to the editor »
Oct 11, 2005 A very personal attachment to the Spit »
Oct 10, 2005 Map - SOS opposition to Government Plans »
Oct 7, 2005 Increased Cancer Risk From LA Port Complex Fumes »
Oct 6, 2005 From Strength to Strength in our campaign »
Sep 28, 2005 Venice Sinking under cruise ships »
Sep 21, 2005 Thats not reality but this is »
Sep 18, 2005 EIS rubber stamp? »
Sep 5, 2005 Letter to Bulletin »
Aug 29, 2005 Excerpts: »
Aug 28, 2005 Plans for lakes of effluent on Straddie !!! »
Aug 23, 2005 Not Exactly The Love Boat - New Book »
Aug 3, 2005 Premier sinking Gold Coast dive industry »
Aug 2, 2005 Thumbs up for Councillor Susie Douglas »
Aug 1, 2005 World Class Waves at Risk »
Jul 18, 2005 New Stickers Available »
Jul 18, 2005 Save our spit campaign highlights »
Jul 18, 2005 People and Parks Day Sunday 31st July »
Apr 20, 2005 Trinity Lutheran College Cruise Ship Debate »