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The community did decide. The results found more than half of respondents, 54 per cent, were in favour of the proposal and 42 per cent were opposed. Four per cent were “unsure” whether they were in favour of the $3 billion plan. Those surveyed who supported the project said it would create and support jobs; be a catalyst for better public transport; boost tourism; have minimal environmental impact; and make better use of the area. They gave their support on the condition that access to the area be improved. The 42 per cent who opposed the development believed high-rises would spoil the area, that it would adversely impact the environment; not fix transport issues; contradict the city plan; and introduce an unwanted casino. State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said the decision showed the Government “listened to the people”. “The last community consultation was extremely extensive and that was the Donaldson survey — and they all showed that people don’t want high-rises on The Spit,” he said. “This is a balanced decision, this is what the people of the Gold Coast and people of Queensland want. The Premier said the height limit on The Spit, which also effectively kills Sunland’s twin tower development The Mariner, would not impact construction jobs growth. Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said he would reopen a registration-of-interest process for integrated resorts within its first 100 days of government if elected. “We would consider a proposal from ASF or other parties through this process,” he said. Mr Nicholls said the decision sent a message that Queensland was closed for business. “Annastacia Palaszczuk gifted The Spit site to ASF two years ago without a competitive process,” he said. “Now, Labor has unilaterally taken the site away.” (from GC Bulletin) Personally, pro casino or anti casino I don't care. In my eyes, the land before SW is the land you drive past to get to either SW or the spit. There's nothing of great value to save.

Thank you TPG with this photo I am sharing for you.

Traffic is already an issue but at least with a big development you can force the developer to pay to fix the problem. Good luck to them getting any money out of a new fish and chip shop to fix the traffic. You can have the best of both worlds at the spit. Up to SW develop the shit out of and past SW leave it as open public space. Who here has ever had a picnic or BBQ in the current SW overflow car park?

I continue to write average shit. It's what I do best.

It is nice to hear it again thou.

This is why we can't have nice things. Stupid people everywhere. Stupid people believe whatever they are told. OVERFLOW car park at MW. (stopped because council listened to stupid people) A casino on a piece of land that nobody ever uses. (stopped because government listened to stupid people) I guarantee both these don’t even know where it is and all that it is currently used for is an overflow car park by SW. “This is an excellent outcome. Now to preserve the space for the people to continue to enjoy - it's such a unique space.” “Thank goodness. It's a beautiful natural open space. Down there nearly every weekend. Let's focus on its natural qualities. Great recreation area. Diving, snorkelling, great bike ride to The Spit, dog area, fishing etc etc etc” Village now need to lease the land of the Queensland Government themselves but sadly I don’t think they have the money now. The Gold Coast people are so stupid. Where do people think the jobs come from on the Gold Coast.

How many inversion did they say Rivals will have @AlexB?

How do you know when the final piece goes up?

Looks like they are starting to add capitals to all the fence columns. When do people think the Joker head will be added to the lift hill? Will it be while this larger crane is on site and if so will MW cover it up?

@AlexB You got it wrong. He never posted a photo in the first place.

CLARK Kirby’s career has come full circle since, as a child, he helped clean the cinema of his then-fledging family business Village Roadshow. Village Roadshow commenced operating in 1954, owning and managing one of the first drive-in cinemas in Australia in the Melbourne suburb of Croydon. “I have a long history with the theme parks her — my grandfather Rock Kirby started Village Roadshow, back in 1954 in Victoria, the drive-in cinema down in Melbourne. “Entertainment is well and truly in the blood. My original background was in the cinema industry — I like to say I worked there when I was four years old when I started to clean the amusement rides down at Sorrento. “I worked every school holidays for the family in the cinema we had down there. “Then I completed one degree up here at Bond University and then went on to study at a number of other universities and ended up in investment banking associate director of mergers and acquisitions with UBS Investment “It was a great opportunity because I advised a lot of entertainment companies here in Australia — including PPL, Channel 7, News Corp. “It gave me a broadbased understanding of different business models and management styles within the entertainment world, some incredible companies. “It was very diverse, and very interesting trying to impart advice. “Then I came back and headed up corporate strategy for the group then since 2012 I’ve been chief operating officer of the Village Roadshow Group and sitting on the board of the theme park group. “In May this year I assumed the role of CEO and executive chairman of the theme park group. “Really because we do see it as our most important business and a business we see enormous growth in here and internationally.” What do you love about the Gold Coast? “I don’t believe there is any city in the world that can rival the family friendly lifestyle we enjoy here on the Gold Coast. “The weather and sublime beaches promote a healthy lifestyle and world class attractions mean kids and big kids will always be entertained and inspired. “I am also in awe of the incredible sense of pride and community spirit of the Gold Coast. “Initiatives like the Gold Coast Community Fund have been so generously embraced by locals wanting to help out those doing it tough.” What do you think can be done better on the Gold Coast? “We need to ensure there is sufficient planning and investment in essential infrastructure such as public transport and traffic management to deal with the existing congestion and to support and encourage private investment and development. “Coming from Melbourne, I have also seen the incredible power of sporting events to drive tourism and investment. “The Commonwealth Games is already electrifying the city and I would like to see a sustained calendar of major sporting events through the year.” In your travels, what have you seen being done elsewhere you think could work well here? “Universal City Walk and Downtown Disney are great success stories. “These retail, dining and entertainment precincts create a vibrant, fun and safe destination for all ages. “We are moving towards creating our own version of this alongside Movie World when Australia’s first Topgolf opens after the Commonwealth Games next year.” If money, laws, time and approvals were no issue, what is one big project you’d undertake tomorrow? “A cruise ship terminal — provided it meets all environmental requirements and the appropriate traffic mitigation solution is implemented, a cruise ship terminal would be phenomenal for the Tourism industry on the Gold Coast.” What conversations should Gold Coast movers and shakers be having? “We need to consider what our city is going to look like in five, 10, 20 years. Is our infrastructure going to be able to keep up with rate of growth predicted for the Gold Coast? “Where are the jobs going to come from and are we providing our kids with the relevant training and opportunities to succeed? “The long term future for the Spit is another important issue for me — there is so much uncertainty around development on The Spit. “We desperately need a masterplan to ensure that any development includes sufficient investment in infrastructure to ensure residents and existing businesses are not negatively impacted. “In the more immediate future, we need to ensure that we fully capitalise on the incredible exposure the Commonwealth Games will bring to the Gold Coast.” http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/opinion/village-roadshow-ceo-says-gold-coast-is-golden-but-needs-to-keep-up-with-the-rest-of-the-world/news-story/796eedbff960121e90826c41e46f17ee

Some news agencies now reporting the problem that caused it could have been festering for years. A closeup photograph of the severed metal spoke that failed, killing one man and injuring seven, appears to show that a critical weld holding the seats onto the ride’s arm may have cracked over time due to metal fatigue, and then suddenly and catastrophically failed, said Gerald Frankel, a professor of materials science and engineering at Ohio State University. “What is on the left side (of the break) looks very different than what’s on the right side,” Frankel said. “That first part on the left took some time to grow. That part on the right, that didn’t take any time.” The photograph, which shows a closeup of the severed metal arm apparently taken shortly after the accident. Frankel said that he’s only hypothesizing based on the photo, and that a conclusive answer on the nature of the break will be made by scientific testing being done by colleagues of his at forensic engineering firm SEA, which has a Columbus office. A manager at SEA said Friday that the firm is prohibited from commenting on the Fire Ball investigation, including whether it’s participating in it. But the photo is telling. The straight-line break on the left indicates a “weld had a defect and that defect grew over time, likely because of fatigue, which is repeated stresses below the limit that the metal would normally break,” Frankel said. The jagged right side is where it finally failed, suddenly and catastrophically breaking off, a “ductile failure,” meaning it simply ripped off from being unable to hold up to the load of the gondola, Frankel said. “My interpretation is the crack initiated and grew, and then there was a ductile failure, and then the thing just broke off.” And the noise that’s heard on the cellphone video of the accident posted online? That could be the sound of the metal snapping, Frankel said. When a piece that size snaps, “it makes a lot of noise,” Frankel said. “Just because it made a noise, that doesn’t mean it hit anything.”

I'm up. Grabbed some quick pics on the way home.

I'm talking about the Airmaxx 360 ride. "The $868,000 ride, which was imported from Spain in June 2012, was subject to poor inspections that failed to highlight inadequate seat restraints and substandard oil and electronic systems. The court heard no designs were registered with safety watchdogs, which is illegal. The ride had been subject to at least nine audits prior to the accident from private safety inspectors and Queensland, New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian government officials." Every state looked at it an not one state picked it up.

I would’ve liked to seen a tower here.

The irony here is they first understood metal fatigue because planes started falling out of the sky. That's the problem. Us laymen don't know how to spot out a bad apple and these bad operators do slip through the system. You only have look at the accident in S.A. How am I meant to know the ride was not certified to operate in Australia?

That's why it says "in other parts of the ride".

What current news sites area saying. A review of service bulletins issued by the Netherlands company that manufactures the Fire Ball thrill ride found "structural fatigue, "cracking" and weakened welds during past inspections in other parts of the ride. Officials say they do not know what caused the ride to break apart, but speculation from investigators mounts that the Dutch-built ride from respected thrill ride manufacturer, KMG, failed due to a catastrophic structural failure from sources that may include internal rusting and poor design around a weld-joint that tore off the 4-person bench, during peak G-force in the swing arc. The weld join in question was re-designed on later models with a bolt plate, however, this particular ride, was one of the older KMG makes, manufactured in 1998. KMG have subsequently issued a worldwide order to cease operation of all KMG Fireballs.

Most people think I drink a lot of Kool-Aid. Interesting spread for somebody who has just posted 2 photos. 3 people like it 1 person thinks it's funny 2 think his drinking Kool-Aid

How can you use Kool-Aid correctly? Surely, it's not a serious reaction.

This is all you deserve.

I'm sorry @AlexB but I'm not giving anybody a love hart. I have a reputation to uphold. Oh no!

It's ok @Reanimated35 I have been told he is a team player. Kool-Aid for everyone.

@AlexB gets the first kool-aid.

Originally, I was against the downvote system but now I love it. Removing it totally is soft and if it needed to be removed, I would have changed it to thumbs down.