The Gold Coast City Council's secret master plan for South Stradbroke Island has sparked controversy and raised questions about the true nature of 'nature-based tourism'. The plan, which includes an 18-hole golf course, a surf wellness retreat with over two dozen buildings, a helipad, and walking trails, has been kept under wraps for two years, with stakeholders signing Non-Disclosure Agreements and councillors kept in the dark. This secrecy has led to suspicions about the council's intentions and a lack of trust and transparency, which is a red flag for Mayor Tom Tate's leadership. The term 'nature-based tourism' is being used to describe a development that includes a golf course and a helipad, which are not typically considered nature-based. This strategy is not new; similar projects on South Stradbroke Island, such as McLaren's Landing and Couran Cove, have been marketed as 'nature-based tourism' despite their significant environmental impact. The concern is that the South Stradbroke foreshore will become covered in built assets, from the Seaway to Jumpinpin, with each parcel of land looking small enough to seem reasonable on its own. However, the cumulative effect of these developments is a cause for alarm. The council's secretive consultation process and the use of the term 'nature-based tourism' to describe projects that include a golf course and a helipad are raising red flags and questioning the true intentions behind these developments. As an expert, I believe that the council should be more transparent and consider the long-term environmental impact of these projects. The public deserves to know the full extent of the council's plans and have a say in the future of South Stradbroke Island. In my opinion, the council's secrecy and the use of the term 'nature-based tourism' to describe projects that are not environmentally friendly are a cause for concern. The public should be wary of such developments and demand more transparency and accountability from their local government.
