Less spin, more substance please

Article published in the Hervey Bay Advertiser (2 May ’24) highlighting the “serious questions over the environmental impact of the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort” raised by CoralWatch was a wake-up call for the entire community!

The significance, high likelihood and longterm consequences of these impacts clearly warrant detailed and well-informed debate within the wider community, especially as they conflict with the reasons many have chosen to live here and others to visit.

This was not evident in the response from the developers (published 16 May ‘24) claiming it will “showcase environmental excellence” and “feature a raft of best practice environmental measures” to minimise environmental impacts; statements not substantiated with sound factual evidence that is required for informed debate within the community.

For example, what constitutes “environmental excellence” and by what criteria was it assessed? What evidence confirms that top-end accommodation “attracting new high spending tourists” will genuinely “help ease pressure on the Hervey Bay housing market” and benefit those in need of affordable housing?

Claims that the project “will be a showcase of sustainable development” need to be substantiated by both qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding the criteria commonly used for assessing “sustainability”, including (but not limited to) economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection (United Nations).

Promotions marketing these types of developments invariably make claims that they will benefit local economies and generate employment. What evidence has been made publicly available to substantiate these claims?

•             What types and how many new jobs will be created?

•             How many will be available to local residents?

•             What proportion of the jobs created will be permanent versus temporary, such as only required during construction?

•             Once the resort is operational, what proportion of income generated will be returned to the local economy?

The community in Hervey Bay have a right to access information used to support the cases for and against this development that is detailed, comprehensive, thorough, factual, evidence-based and from credentialed sources. The developers commissioned the services of Trend Environmental Consultants to report on the environmental impacts and corresponding mitigation strategies. Information available online states that this “consultancy work(s) with land developers, the mining sector, the tourism sector” and “offer environmental approval and compliance monitoring services to the resource sector”.

The significant risks associated with this project warrant a detailed and comprehensive investigation across all of the sustainability assessment criteria that is more appropriately conducted by independent experts as opposed to those hired and paid by the developer.

Most importantly, recent “Letters to the Editor” in The Hervey Bay Advertiser indicate the high potential for this project to become a very divisive issue within our community, especially when the only information readily available is rumour and speculation via social media broadcasts without the benefit of “fact-checks”.

The development is such a radical departure from what currently exists on our foreshore as well as what we had assumed for the future that it has given rise to genuine fears within the community that if the current Town Plan specifications are over-ridden to approve this development, then it will inevitably and irreversibly set a precedent for similar developments along our coastline. This would be disastrous!

The Gold Coast, and closely followed by the Sunshine Coast, clearly demonstrate how these types of developments radically transform the aesthetics, environs and lifestyles for the local residents, prompting many to escape by migrating northwards.

Those local Councils that have rejected this type of development, such as Noosa, Byron Bay and Port Douglas, are currently and will continue to reap the benefits of being desired premier destinations for holidaymakers as well as those looking for somewhere to live that is different and special.

These Councils courageously withstood pressures from developers and reasserted their key and executive roles and responsibility for determining the future of their communities.

Opposition to this project is not simply anti-development; it is about ensuring developments are “right” for Hervey Bay’s residents and not just profitable business ventures for developers. Given the significance of this project in influencing the nature and extent of developments in Hervey Bay in the future, leadership is required from the Fraser Coast Regional Council (FCRC) in sponsoring open and informed debate about this proposal within the community.

There is too much at stake for it not to be subject to rigorous scrutiny through robust and balanced discussion and debate within the wider community that is based upon a detailed and comprehensive assessment of all available relevant information from credentialed sources.

The FCRC has a key role to play in sponsoring this process given that they have the ultimate decision whether or not to approve the development application.

We need the FCRC councillors, in consultation with the wider community, to determine the future of Hervey Bay and not leave it to foreign interests seeking profitable investments.

The FCRC prepares a Development Plan to guide future directions. This name implies that development will continue to be the driver into the future and that it is necessary to respond to the rapid increase in the population anticipated for Hervey Bay.

This is not the only available option. Continuing growth is not a solution that is sustainable in the longterm.

What is more important and relevant would be for the FCRC to create a “Sustainable Future Plan” for Hervey Bay that articulates a future for this town that is not based upon the continued urban sprawl that is currently being rolled out.

Is this the legacy by which councillors wish to be remembered?

Kind regards,

John Biggins

21 storey development

New development will always happen, but it is up to our elected officials to make sure that any development doesn't drastically affect the properties and well-being of the Hervey Bay ratepayers.

By this, I mean setting a precedent on the height of the beachfront development.

I for one would not like to see a wall of 20 story or taller buildings along the short beachfront that we all enjoy.

As for injecting money into the Bay, yes tradies will have to stay and eat and with the housing shortage this will be in direct competition with our tourists.

On the build, contracts will go to the one who can supply workers and equipment and probably price.

This puts Hervey Bay tradies out as it’s hard enough to get one for our own jobs.

Sales will go to flashy sales teams working out of Sydney but a few crumbs for the local realities.

The developer, well he doesn't have to live behind it or gamble his money, it's all investors.

He just has to sweet talk our elected officials to get the build as high as he can as that means more profits.

It's not about helping the Bay it's about profit, so I hope our elected officials listen to the community and are not spellbound by the glossy prospectus or next we will be getting a monorail.

David Gillingham