18,300 survey responses to help shape draft master plan for The Spit

A total 815 people have provided more than 18,300 online responses to The Spit Master Plan draft options survey to help shape the future of the iconic Gold Coast area.

Acting Premier and Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said public consultation on the 72 options presented for the seven Spit precincts is now complete following the close of the survey and several successful pop-up sessions, briefings and more.

“We know The Spit is a much-loved area of the Gold Coast, which is why we encouraged all Gold Coast business owners, residents and visitors to the Spit to have their say, and it’s clear they have responded to that call,” he said.

“Our aim was for as many people as possible to share their views on the options report.

“My department spoke to almost 1300 people about the options during a dozen pop-up information sessions convened across the Gold Coast.

“Thousands more Queenslanders have also been engaging with The Spit options online, with more than 5600 visits to The Spit website, and more than 480 responses in February and March last year alone to an online questionnaire which accompanied the pop-up sessions during those months.

“There has also been over 6000 views of the Spit Master Plan video and more than 15,500 people reached through social media on this topic.”

More than 80 people, including key stakeholders and community representatives, attended a workshop on the Gold Coast in December to consider the community’s feedback on The Spit master plan options and work on the content of the draft master plan.

The two-day workshop brought together a cross section of participants to help refine the options into a draft master plan, due to be released for comment early this year.

Mr Dick said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to striking the right balance between protecting environmental and community values and paving the way for appropriate commercial development on The Spit.

“My goal when we started this process was to replace contest with consensus and to build a new plan for The Spit that was developed by the community, for the community,” he said.

“It is heartening to see Queenslanders have really embraced this process in order to tell us what they want to see happen on The Spit in the future.”

The master plan is being prepared in collaboration with the City of Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

The final master plan on track to be completed by July 2019.

Visit qld.gov.au/thespit for more information.

SPIT MASTER PLAN CONSULTATION FAST FACTS:

• 5645 Website visits
• 1294 pop-up session attendees
• 815 online survey users
• 18,341 survey comments
• 15,518 social media reach
• 6195 master plan video views
• 700 registered stakeholders

ENDS

Media contact: Anika Hume 0447 320 039