Council Election 2008

Below is the questionnaire sent to all candidates with a published email address from the Gold Coast Council election site.

If you need to know what your division is check Council Election and note the maps used.

Save Our Spit Inc. Election Questionnaire 2008

Dear candidate, we wish you all the best for the upcoming election. Many candidates have shown us fantastic support in recent years and we are very appreciative of that. We are non party political and focussed on one issue only “Saving our Spit” for future generations to enjoy.

Please take the time to complete the following 3 questions. We will display your answers on our website and email them to our 1000’s of subscribers.

We understand you will be very busy in the coming weeks. If we receive no response we will post no response on our communications with our supporters. If we could not contact a candidate we will indicate this as well.

Please keep your answers to the topic – we will endeavour to print your answers accurately but may remove parts of answers not related to Save Our Spit issues.

1. Do you support "No development North of Seaworld Nara"?

2. Do you support the Gazettal of the Spit to prevent inappropriate development?

3. Will you be proactive in supporting local residents’ wishes in keeping The Spit as a natural environment for all to enjoy?

The Results

Mayor

Candidate	Answers
John Bradford	Yes Yes Yes
Robert Molhoek	Unite GC and I do not support development of the Spit north of Seaworld Nara resort. Yes Unite GC and I will always take matters related to our natural environment seriously and we are determined that the Spit shall be a place for all Gold Coast residents to treasure, and enjoy now and into the future.

Division 1

Candidate

Answers

Elizabeth Wayne

100% support. We need to honour the wishes of Doug Jennings and the hard work which has come before by hundreds of community members to protect this special natural assest. Our words were supported by our actions - it was and still is a 'proud' battle to protect The Spit and the Marine stadium from development. With all our time and energy. We respond to this not only as candidates but as a family, who although we reside miles away from The Spit still value its significance and rarity.

Division 2

Candidate

Answers

John Wayne

100% support. We need to honour the wishes of Doug Jennings and the hard work which has come before by hundreds of community members to protect this special natural assest. Our words were supported by our actions - it was and still is a 'proud' battle to protect The Spit and the Marine stadium from development. With all our time and energy. We respond to this not only as candidates but as a family, who although we reside miles away from The Spit still value its significance and rarity.

Division 3

Candidate	Answers
Keith Douglas	The Tom Tate Team is committed to preserving the Spit area north of Seaworld Nara as public open space and does not support any future development of the area except those basic works necessary to facilitate low impact recreational use. The Tom Tate Team has announced the formation of a Waterways and Reefs Authority because it believes our waterways and access to those waterways is an important part of the lifestyle Gold Coaster's enjoy. We also believe that natural open space is important to find the right balance - across the whole city - between managing growth and preserving our environment. Preserving The Spit is an important part of that belief. We do support the concept of a marine stadium and appropriate maintenances of such areas to protect future recreational access. We had already opposed former plans for a Cruise Terminal and we do support a proposal for a super yacht facility - but in an appropriate location. The Tom Tate Team will work with the local community to ensure that protecting The Spit in the above manner is achieved and secured through the appropriate planning and legislative mechanisms so it is secured for the enjoyment of future generations. Note this is a reply for the Tom Tate team sent by Keith Douglas
Grant Pforr	I don't support any developement North of Seaworld Nara Resort & direct your attention to my website where as a young boy I am at Marineland, the previous development at the Spit and also my support to Lyn Wright of the Federation Walk; I am unsure as to the term 'gazettal' but I definately agree in an immediate review of the planning scheme to protect the Spit; My track record in continued support to the Friends of the Federation Walk even before my time as a GCC Councillor, saving Jabiru Island from development, a further 26.9 HA of approved development on Coombabah wetlands which was returned to conservation & Sth Stradbroke Island saved from sewage ponds, I have proven my proactive stance in saving local areas for the locals & future generations. As a long time resident of the Gold Coast (50 years) I believe and strongly campaign on corridors of open space not pockets.

Division 5

Candidate	Answers
Peter Young	Absolutely Absolutely I have been, and will continue to be!

Division 6

Candidate	Answers
Dawn Crichlow	Yes Yes Yes

Division 7

Candidate	Answers
Don Magin	Absolutely yes. The Spit is a natural destination and must remain this way for our enjoyment and benefit as well as that of future generations. Ongoing natural enhancement of the environmentally friendly precinct is encouraged, as is presently being nurtured. I am against the proliferation of boat marina's and a Super Yacht Harbour that further obliterate the visual amenity of the spectacular Broadwater. The Broadwater is an integral part of the Spit. I do not accept that this most outstanding natural attraction should be concealed by a flotilla of boats and yachts using the Broadwater as a carpark. Yes Yes - as I have done for a number of years.
Susan Douglas	Yes Yes Yes

Division 8

Candidate

Answers

Jaques Riguaud

I have never supported any development as this is the only natural asset we have left around the Gold Coast Strip. We have over-developped the Gold Coast with high density development to the detriment of other natural resources such as the spit. Yes I do. I certainly do and will support any natural embelliesemnt but not inappropriate and/or inadequate development. Based on the above and within the legal avenues.I will. It must remain there for locals and visitors to enjoy. However, we still need to appreciate the fact that,at times maintenance, preservation might require alterations with progressive approach and on a long term preservation plan to the land or. But only if neccessary

Division 9

Division 12

Candidate	Answers
Irene Wareing	Yes Yes Yes - as a member of Gecko I have been involved in the protests against the Cruise Ship terminal and the Marine Simulator and will continue to be opposed to any other development that is proposed for The Spit. We must retain this area for passive recreational purposes and as a foil to the high rises of Surfers Paradise.
Gregory Betts	It depends on what is being proposed. I definitely do not support residential development there. Due to the current planning law (IPA) this is probably the only way to achieve that goal. Therefore, I agree. I'm not sure that I agree that the Spit is a natural environment. If you say parkland that may be more agreeable from me. Either way, if there is a proposal to make a change in land use I would have to weigh it up on it's merits, or otherwise.

Division 14

Candidate

Answers

Christine Robbins

In a world that is becoming increasing urbanised, I support the maintenance of the spit as an unencumbered public open space for the enjoyment of all, however if that means building a toilet amenities block, I would not oppose that! Gazettal as??? I am focused on protection of the environmental values in Division 14 and this is pretty much a more than full time commitment, but I am supportive of this concept.