Dreamworld - Proposed Development

[Brad2912]

2 hours ago, DaptoFunlandGuy said:

you stand to financially benefit from killing Koalas

*yawn* 

Every single person breathing on this planet has financially benefited from the destruction of natural habitat, and the death of animals/plants/species/ecosystems. 

Anyway, we clearly have differing viewpoints and thats totally fine with me. Unlike what seems like many people on this forum, i actually don't come here to spar with people - i'm here because i enjoy talking about theme parks with other like minded people. Yours or anyone's environmental/political/philosophical ideas and ideals are not relevant to me, nor do i have any interest in debating them or trying to persuade you to change them.

I am glad however that you and @New display name have been able to find commonality on an issue - if I've achieved one thing, it's getting you two on the same page, even if it was in opposition to me, seems we are all winners.

Think it's best i simply stick to posting the published reports regarding this development moving forward and avoid providing any personal thoughts on the matter.

 

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Environmental groups have slammed the state government's decision to fast-track Dreamworld's expansion, warning it threatens the Gold Coast's most significant koala population.

The state government is being accused of sacrificing the Gold Coast’s most significant koala population for development, by removing green tape to fast track the Dreamworld project.

Environmental campaigners GECKO and a Coomera group along with the Queensland Conversation Council are calling for the project to have an independent federal assessment.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, on Tuesday, after a previous request by the Gold Coast City Council, announced he would use rare powers to “call in” the project.

He said the decision “highlighted the significance of the proposal for Queensland’s long-term housing and tourism priorities”.

However, in his earlier call-in notice to council, he admitted there were significant environmental matters with Dreamworld planning to remove 42,285sq m of koala habitat.

Queensland Conservation Council director Dave Copeman said the decision ignores a Koala Conservation Strategy and undermines years of community advocacy for stronger habitat.

“This call-in silences the community and fast-tracks a highly controversial private development that should be subject to independent and transparent scrutiny,” he said.

“Queenslanders expect the planning system to protect nature and uphold due process, not to be overridden for commercial convenience.”

The environmental groups want the development application to be referred for federal assessment under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

They asked the government to release all documentation underpinning the call-in decision.

Coomera Conservation Group’s Karina Waterman said the usual environmental assessment process which allowed for scrutiny, transparency, and public input has been bypassed.

“By taking this path, the project can now avoid full environmental oversight, and with rights to object or appeal removed, our community has effectively been silenced,” she said.

“Most concerning is that this project would clear known koala habitat, in an area where our remaining wild koalas are already fighting to survive.

“Northern Gold Coast koalas are now confined to shrinking patches of bushland, boxed in by roads, fences, and housing estates. Every corridor that connects them matters.

“Our community has worked tirelessly for years to protect local koalas and green corridors. We will continue to speak up — because our koalas cannot.”

GECKO environment council’s campaign co-ordinator Sara Hicks warned that clearing would fast track extinction for Coomera koalas.

“With the cumulative local impacts, clearing habitat on this site – ironically to expand a commercial tourism operation — would be catastrophic for local koalas,” she said.

“This call-in ‘fast track’ bypasses due process and negates the government’s own regulations intended to protect threatened species.”

In its development application to council, before the call-in, Dreamworld included a koala management plan which includes having spotters on site.

An ecological report prepared by the theme park’s town planners showed there were 68 records of koalas living within two kilometres of the Coomera property.

Assessment of 39 trees at the site found nine had scratching on their canopies along with evidence on the ground of koala scats.

“A result of the proposed development is the threat of potential impact and risk to koala that may arise or be temporarily intensified,” an ecological report said.

“The applicant is highly committed to ensuring these potential threats and risks have minimal impacts on any koala individuals that may be present within the subject site.”

About 2724 trees could be removed, resulting in the loss of 37,572 sqm of mapped koala habitat

However the Gold Coast’s business community has welcomed the project.

Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce Josephine Kadel said it would be transformative for the fast-growing region.

“We welcome progress on the Dreamworld Masterplan and supports a collaborative approach between state and local government to align infrastructure and road upgrades with future growth,” she said.

“Co-ordinated planning of this kind ensures new investment translates into lasting benefits — creating jobs, supporting businesses, and strengthening the economic resilience of the northern Gold Coast.”

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/northern/dreamworld-future-of-gold-coast-theme-parks-expansion-plans/news-story/54db918c8f73b02f63d0cc2c7b165c0b

Edited yesterday at 06:38 AM by Brad2912

[New display name]

18 minutes ago, Brad2912 said:

I am glad however that you and @New display name have been able to find commonality on an issue - if I've achieved one thing, it's getting you two on the same page, even if it was in opposition to me, seems we are all winners.

Thank you.

@DaptoFunlandGuyand I are best friends now and tomorrow we are going on our first date.  All these years of fighting and it turned out @DaptoFunlandGuyhad a secret crush on me.

Edited yesterday at 06:52 AM by New display name

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

Who said it was secret?