Student Info
This is our page for resources for students formulating arguments for assignments, debates and presentations.
With some research you can discover issues that effect any proposal to alter the vital shallow estuary - Our Broadwater.
How large are cruise ships and can they safely navigate the Seaway?
In 2006 the then Labor Government canned the proposed Cruise Ship Terminal at the Spit on Doug Jennings Park because of technical and environmental concerns.
The navigational studies initially used by the then proponents were found to be flawed by SOSA - since then we have rigorously checked any information used to promote Cruise Ships in and around the Broadwater with many of these arguments outlined below.
From our research we assert that no Cruise Ships can safely navigate the Seaway in all but the calmest of conditions. This research is based on expert opinion and over a decade of studying this issue.
Modern large cruise ships are getting larger e.g. 350 metres.
Where is the proposed terminal to be built?
There are no drawings that accurately show where the terminal is to be built or depict the associated infrastructure. The initial artists impressions had the terminal on Doug Jennings Park, however recently Wavebreak Island has been set as the most likely location by the proponents.
Tip check Google Images for "artist impressions Gold Coast Cruise Terminal"
Tip check your understanding of the difference between a Transit Port and Port that is a home based or turnover port. Even proponents of the CST have made statements indicating a fundamental lack of understanding in this area.
Effects on environment of a Cruise Terminal in the Broadwater
The shallow estuary of the Broadwater is a fish nursery vital to replenishing stocks locally and further afield.
Tip research the value of sea grass to creatures like Dugongs.
Tip research the value of water quality to the entire Gold Coast eco system (700 kms of waterways)
Tip look at the green turtle breeding grounds to see how far they south they are known to breed.
Ongoing Dredging
South North Drift - shifting millions of cubic metres of sand annually. What is the economic value in continual dredging of a channel kms out to sea if the natural flow of sand would continue to fill it in.
Tip discuss the issues of who would be paying for this in an ongoing manner?
Presumably this is a foreign entity paying for this - how is this funding going to be guaranteed.
How much would the average Cruise Passenger earn for our economy?
The cost of dredging would negate the $75 per passenger spend (Midwood report). Even the proponents of this Cruise Ship Terminal have stated it is revenue negative.
What is the existing value of the Broadwater as is with no CST?
A vital study indicating the economic value of the Broadwater was purposely hidden from the public:
Economic issues - Jobs
How would you verify any claims of economic prosperity?
Would there be issues that would cause a lack of prosperity? e.g. could existing tourism be damaged?
Why may a report detailing the value of the Broadwater and jobs it currently sustains be hidden from public view?
Check The Hidden Urbis Report
Is the Spit Man Made?
Promoters of cruise ships for the Broadwater have claimed the Spit is man made. Is it man made or was it always there just stabilised by the Seaway?
Tip Check this ABC 7:30 report - who was wrong?
Check this article Is the Spit Man Made?
Will the surf be affected by ongoing dredging?
Read SOSA's research (the only publicly available research) about effects on one of the best beach-break surf spots in Australia/World TOS
Tip check our videos page
Will diving be affected?
The Spit has one of the best inshore diving experiences of any city in Australia, with over 450 species of fish documented in the Seaway.
Tip compare the value of a dive tourist to that of a cruise ship tourist in terms of economic value to our economy
How much open space could be lost?
Tip calculate the kms of beach and foreshore used in 'artist impressions' - why aren't exact figures available?
Aren't Jobs more important to our future than the environment?
Wild claims of benefits e.g.(36k jobs) are part and parcel of the tools used to sway public opinion, vital for a private takeover of public land.
It is very important to look at the type of job, that any developer may claim to provide. It is also important to consider the sustainability of that job.
For example a casino would create jobs, it may also cause other businesses to fold and have other undesirable social effects on the community.
Media coverage
Scrutinise information provided to the public from proponents and media organisations with vested interests in the projects success.
Likewise scrutinise opponents to a CST and see if they receive fair coverage or not?
Politics
If you do not already, at some stage you will vote. How would you accurately gauge the sincerity of a politician on this issue?
Can you find instances in this debate where a politician has changed their view.
Tip check our videos page
Can you see any evidence of a politician voting in opposition to the cruise terminal issue when their political party was not in government and later becoming a supporter of the terminal when their party is elected to government? And is there evidence of any politician staying true to their opposition to the cruise terminal even when their political party changes their policy to supporting one?
