Kirra under threat. Photo:Shelli Bankier
Save Our Southern Beaches Alliance called off a paddle out protest at North Kirra when proposals for a cruise ship terminal and resort complex were axed last week. Now, though, it seems it is back on.
According to reports, the same developers that put forth the original proposal have submitted another for consideration, this time looking to build a multibillion dollar resort, casino, and super-marina on public land at North Kirra.
After SOSBA called off their paddle out in protest of the previous proposal, they are calling it back on. “Just when you thought there was no reason to Paddle Out on Sunday, its game back on,” said Andrew McKinnon, SOSBA spokesperson in a press release. “We call on the public again to join us this Sunday at North Kirra to oppose yet another pie-in-the-sky scheme.”
Earlier this week, when billionaire developer Bob Ell’s Leda Group proposed plans for terminals at Bilinga and Broadwater, it prompted a campaign against the development, which included hotels, a casino, apartments, a cruise ship terminal, and super yacht facilities. While premier Campbell Newman killed the plans for a $2 billion cruise ship terminal at Kirra Beach in Bilinga, he said that the Broadwater cruise ship terminal plan was still on the table.
In an apparent effort to appease the outraged community, the newest proposal involves a sand bypass outlet, which developers say will create the Kirra of old, create new breaks along the Bilinga coastline, and help move sand to the northern beaches.
Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson both spoke out against the proposals, prompting calls for a World Surfing Reserve designation on the Gold Coast coastal strip. That title would effectively quash any further development action.
World Surfing Reserves spokesman Brad Farmer and Andrew McKinnon are seeking a meeting with the QLD Premier to request rejection of the newest proposal.
Stay tuned for more updates.
