Songcheng Legendary Kingdom in Nerang

[Brad2912]

There an article in GCB about it and potential objections which was just posted online.

unfortunately it’s behind a paywall and New Ltd must be smartening up as even using my regular google search trip it still won’t let me open it - maybe someone else will have some more luck...

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

I've been through a lot of the documents posted on PDonline. I can't see much meat there in terms of the theme park itself - emphasis on not being 'ride based' - still has plans for a huge concert hall type building, as well as a ski slope, while the rest of the experiences are said to be representative of australian and chinese culture... like gold panning. (rightio then).

certainly its the most detailed plan we've seen in a while, but as its an MCU, it's an uphill battle for them. It'll be interesting to see the substance of any objections they get.

[MickeyD]

What happens after they go broke, bail out of Australia, abandon the site and leave behind a derelict flood-prone facility with an even bigger one of these?

[jjuttp]

It becomes a petrol station for cars. And boats when it rains.

[New display name]

13 hours ago, Locke said:

Songcheng's Australian Legends World has been quietly progressing along, now out to public notice:

 

 Council has done nothing on this approval since the G.C.C.C. sent out the information request 4 months ago.  The developer has only sent the information request back to council yesterday. 

The council asked for a max height of 3 storey and the developer has come back "yesterday" and said ok we will go from 25 storeys to 20 storeys.

The “have your say submissions” you posted is sent out by the developer, not council. 

You make it sound like council are moving on the project but they have done nothing.

 

I still don’t understand why we are talking about a residential project on Parkz.

Edited December 19, 2017 by Skeeta

[Locke]

8 minutes ago, Skeeta said:

 Council has done nothing on this approval since the G.C.C.C. sent out the information request 4 months ago.  The developer has only sent the information request back to council yesterday. 

The council asked for a max height of 3 storey and the developer has come back "yesterday" and said ok we will go from 25 storeys to 20 storeys.

The “have your say submissions” you posted is sent out by the developer, not council. 

You make it sound like council are moving on the project but they have done nothing.

 

I still don’t understand why we are talking about a residential project on Parkz.

Okay, I realise you don't like this project but try and be logical.

It's not a residential project, it's a multi-use project that includes entertainment facilities like a ski-field, theatres, boat riders that's why there is a thread on it.

Council gave them a complex information request to respond to, it takes many months to compile that sort of information and now it's with council again. This is not a simple project, consultants have to actually get this to work, you do understand that don't you?

This DA, contrary to what you wish, is progressing, (and for the record I have no connection to this project but the negativity on here is a pretty pathetic).

 

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

26 minutes ago, Locke said:

 for the record I have no connection to this project but the negativity on here is a pretty pathetic

Despite your lack of connection, you do really jump to the defence of the project very quickly... so it's really hard to believe there isn't some interest on your behalf - even if it's just that you're a nearby landholder who thinks their property value will rise... (you don't have to be employed by the developer to have a 'connection') - so i'm really interested to find out just what your interest is in the project...

 

I wouldn't agree that people responding (other than yourself) are being negative. I think given history of proposals and developments of similar nature, there is overall 'reality' in the majority of responses. @Skeeta's reply is actually pure fact, with no opinion, other than his last line, which I think he's more than entitled to as is everyone here.

[New display name]

43 minutes ago, Locke said:

Okay, I realise you don't like this project but try and be logical.

I have no feelings towards this project

43 minutes ago, Locke said:

It's not a residential project, it's a multi-use project that includes entertainment facilities like a ski-field, theatres, boat riders that's why there is a thread on it.

We have loads of topics. 

To name a few non-theme park topics.  Top Golf, Imax Sydney,  Fake ski slope, Ekka,  Finally getting my passport! Yay!!!, Thankyou, Mark Shaw's sleep over, Commonwealth Games, What car do you drive? Let's talk Shit. etc.

 

58 minutes ago, Locke said:

This is not a simple project, consultants have to actually get this to work, you do understand that don't you?

Yes

1 hour ago, Locke said:

This DA, contrary to what you wish, is progressing

 

I have no wishes. 

Responding to an information request doesn’t guarantee anything.

MW also continued with the application after the information request for the car park and was knocked back.  (Local member William Owen-Jones from council was having meetings with MW and posting all over his Facebook he was excited what MW was doing and he voted against the car park)

DW tried 10 plus time to get a Town Centre approved and ended up selling the land.

I can list 100’s more applications refused for the Gold Coast that replied to an information request.

 

1 hour ago, Locke said:

but the negativity on here is a pretty pathetic).

I don't care what happens with this res development but I only give it around 10% chance of getting off the ground.

 

 

[Locke]

1 hour ago, AlexB said:

Despite your lack of connection, you do really jump to the defence of the project very quickly... so it's really hard to believe there isn't some interest on your behalf - even if it's just that you're a nearby landholder who thinks their property value will rise... (you don't have to be employed by the developer to have a 'connection') - so i'm really interested to find out just what your interest is in the project...

 

Wow, this place really is paranoia central.

No, I just don't like people who are for no reason against a project that will bring major investment to the Gold Coast and new attractions.

ATM, it's a field, anything is better than what is there now.

Maybe you're against it because you have an interest in maintaining the status quo? How is that for a more likely scenario? Frankly I wonder if some people on here just don't want any new competition on the coast or maybe they're just xenophobic against Chinese investment? 

 

1 hour ago, Skeeta said:

I can list 100’s more applications refused for the Gold Coast that replied to an information request.

And I can list tens of of thousands that succeeded. 

This is a normal application process. 

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

.

Edited December 19, 2017 by AlexB
Yeah you know what? i'm not doing this again. You've decided the project is sunshine and lollipops and clearly nothing anyone says will change that.

[pmihos]

Anyone know whether this Chinese park is still going ahead?

[Brad2912]

Not a single person on earth knows that answer definitively at this point in time. 

[Brad2912]

Interesting seeing these pop up around the place in the last week or so... 

[Slick]

Their crappy design makes it look like a council ad about not driving over flooded roads.

[Brad2912]

I believe that’s the point... everyone on the Gold Coast is well versed in the “If it’s flooded, forget it” tagline which appears everywhere during storm season. This basically is a way of using the councils own public safety campaign against the development. 

[Locke]

If you're protesting something it's not good to have as your main argument something that the other side can negate with a consultant report. 

Anyway, it won't be approved if it floods so it's a pointless point to protest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Levithian]

It floods because its on a flood plain of the nerang river. 

None of that has mattered to previous councils who have reduced or changed flood plains for both nerang and coomera rivers, then stood back with hands in the air when people have their yards and houses go under though. 

Raising the land a few meters to negate everything but the most severe flooding should not be allowed at the expense of getting rid of overflows. It pushes water into areas that were never at risk previously and effectively creates fast flowing creeks that are dangerous to members of the public, but also strip the land bare due to fast flowing currents.

Litetally every major suburb with a creek that drains into these rivers and has been opened up for development is guilty of this. It probably started back when they realigned the nerang river at broadbeach. Not much has changed since, other than the number of houses. 

[New display name]

On 2/10/2018 at 4:02 PM, Locke said:

If you're protesting something it's not good to have as your main argument something that the other side can negate with a consultant report. 

Anyway, it won't be approved if it floods so it's a pointless point to protest.

Flooding is one of many arguments this group has.

1. Flooding & Emergency Evacuation

2. Building Heights & Visual Character

3. Density of the development

4. Impact on Amenity

5. Environmental Issues

6. Access – traffic

7. Major earthworks

8. Economic issues

 

 

 

[New display name]

Ha-ha Garuda GC Corporation Pty Ltd, Queensland Airports Limited & Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce have all written an identical submission for support for the development.  It is almost like somebody is telling them what to say.

 

14 February 2018

Assessment Manager

Council of the City of Gold Coast

PO Box 5042

Gold Coast MC QLD 9729

E: mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Dear Sir / Madam,

RE: DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION MCU

201700907 (PN219775/13/DA6) – AUSTRALIAN LEGEND

WORLD, 4 LAKEVIEW DRIVE, NERANG

I wish to lodge a letter of support for the Songcheng (Australia) Development Pty Ltd Development

Application for a Preliminary Approval for a Material Change of Use, City of Gold Coast Reference

No:- 201700907.

I strongly support this project, which will provide the following significant benefits to the Gold Coast:-

•Attract additional visitation to the Gold Coast for both international and domestic tourists.

•Provide a unique experience for visitors which will likely lead to longer stays.

•Increase tourism related expenditure on the Gold Coast

•Construction expenditure impacts of $400 million direct and $420 million indirect during the two year construction period, that will continue to see significant investment flowing into and throughout the city’s economy.

•The creation of over 620 jobs on-site and 1,000 jobs off-site during the post Commonwealth Games construction period.

•Attraction of a network of new local businesses to support the ongoing requirements of the project.

• will complement the existing social and cultural offerings of the city for residents and visitors alike and result in additional world-class social and cultural infrastructure.

•It will complement the facilities at the existing sports and entertainment precinct at Carrara.

I acknowledge that further technical investigations are required to be undertaken by Songcheng and its project team as is the standard case for a Preliminary Approval process, however the massive potential benefits of this project not only to the Gold Coast, but the entire south-east Queensland region necessitate Council’s approval of the development application to give Songcheng the confidence to continue to invest in this city and undertake this additional work in accordance with the planning process.

 

I think Songcheng thought Gold Coast City Council development approvals are approved once to get the Mayor to dance.

Edited February 14, 2018 by Skeeta

[Locke]

Good, they should support it!

As if the NIMBY's on the coast don't do the same thing when they oppose projects though - so many objections you see look almost identical. Look at how they stopped the ASF Casino on the Spit, the organisation of NIMBYs far exceeds that of any proponents of projects.

At least groups like Garuda will invest billions of dollars into the GC, go have a look at their Southport project 'Star of the Sea' it's a great look project and will be iconic for Southport. 

 

Edited February 15, 2018 by Locke

[Locke]

Some changes (from the Bully):

A GIANT fibreglass Uluru and a replica of the Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour are gone from the latest plans, but Chinese theme park developer Songcheng still hopes to build the world’s biggest indoor ski centre on its 45ha site at Carrara.

The preliminary designs have also swapped a quirky man-made network of boat-filled waterways for an expansion and rejuvenation of existing wetland areas, which the company says say will mitigate the risk of exacerbated flood levels from the site.

 

Edited February 15, 2018 by Locke

[New display name]

 @Locke I've been over all 300+ objections and not one is almost identical.

The get out of my town campaign has done a very good job.

 

1 hour ago, Locke said:

 

A GIANT fibreglass Uluru and a replica of the Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour are gone from the latest plans,

 

Jabree Ltd who work for the traditional owners of the land have had to submit a letter to Town Planing to tell them that the project has not received compliance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003.

For DW it was seven years in the making for Corroboree.  Corroboree was created in consultation with indigenous language groups and people from throughout Australia and the Torres Strait Islands who shared their intimate knowledge of native culture, storytelling, artwork and relationship with the surrounding environment.

DW worked with the Indigenous community ( Yugambeh people who are the traditional owners) and DW didn't do anything that wasn't approved by them.

Uluru was always a pie in the sky.

 

1 hour ago, Locke said:

The preliminary designs have also swapped a quirky man-made network of boat-filled waterways for an expansion and rejuvenation of existing wetland areas, which the company says say will mitigate the risk of exacerbated flood levels from the site.

 

All the signs are there that this company doesn't know what it's doing.

What percentage now remains a theme park and what percentage is now residential?

Rejuvenation of existing wetland areas, which the company says say will mitigate the risk of exacerbated flood levels only deals with the water on the mentioned site.  What about the water that overflows of the site and floods on the other side of Nerang-Broadbeach Rd.  Where does that water go?

 

 

 

Why did you remove the picture?

Edited February 16, 2018 by Skeeta

[Locke]

On 16/02/2018 at 10:33 AM, Skeeta said:

been over all 300+ objections and not one is almost identical.

The get out of my town campaign has done a very good job.

I didn't say this application had objections that were all the same, I said some applications do (though, even despite that, the applications here basically all say the same thing - 'it's going to flood').

And you know what, if it floods, fine, don't built it. 

That, however, is far from a given.

The 'company' engages specialists to build parks, and they are the same specialists that work on other Gold Coast projects so they do 'know what they're doing'. This is par for the course on the Gold Coast, what, you think the developers of big projects like Jewel or Spirit have local knowledge? Of course not, why would they? They pay for that and they get that. Despite the delusions of NIMBYs that Tom Tate and the Chinese are running riot, the fact is, stuff gets approved or not approved by the book.

End of the day, it will either technically stack up or it won't, and that will be decided by specialists not local residents who have their own interests in mind and are only out to spread fear, uncertainly and doubt about the project. 

I don't even particularly like this project, I think the cultural element will be a fail, but the typical incessant whinging from the NIMBYs has me rooting for the developers here.

BTW, I removed that picture because it wasn't relevant, they mention it will be the largest ski park in the world so I showed that park for reference but I think that's hyperbole when it comes to its size.

Edited February 24, 2018 by Locke

[Jamberoo Fan]

From the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

Quote

One Belt One Road: China lists $400m Gold Coast theme park as 'key project' of global initiative

By Michael Walsh and Bang Xiao

Key points:

• Chinese theme park giant Songcheng behind Australian Legends World plan
• The tourism and real estate project will host Chinese and Australian cultural shows
• Songcheng spokesman said China would not influence park's operations

China's Ministry of Culture has listed a Chinese developer's planned Gold Coast theme park as a "key cultural trade and investment project" that is linked to the country's ambitious Belt and Road investment plan.

Australia is not part of the divisive trillion-dollar One Belt One Road investment initiative, but analysts have since told the ABC individual investment projects in Australia are still allowed to sign up and be part of it regardless.

"The Australian Government may not want to not sign up to the initiative as a program but there's nothing to stop particular projects in Australia signing up on their own account," China expert John Fitzgerald from Swinburne University said.

The proposed Australian Legend World at Nerang, to be developed by Chinese theme park giant Songcheng at a cost of more than $400 million, will be the company's first overseas theme park.

In a notice posted on the ministry's website late last week, the planned theme park was listed at number 11 among 40 other government projects around the world, affiliated with One Belt One Road, assessed as top priorities for the ministry.

"Local culture bureaus are required to conduct guidance and supervise the implementation of the projects on the list," it said.

"[They will also] follow up the development and accelerate toward the development of the cultural trades in the One Belt One Road Initiative."

Australian Legend World — which, until the statement, had only been billed as an "entertainment park" — is set to host a variety of Australian and Chinese cultural and historical performances.

It is unclear what relation the park will play in being "key" to the Chinese initiative's global trade routes or investment ambitions — neither the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade nor the Chinese Ministry of Culture were available for comment at the time of writing.

Roland Evans, managing director of the Canford Property Group and Songcheng's spokesman in Australia, said the listing did not mean China's Ministry of Culture would be able to influence how the project operated.

"I don't believe it does, but [the ministry] will keep obviously a close eye that it mirrors what the constraints of the One Road One Belt system is."

He said both Chinese and Australian consultants had thus far been engaged in the creation of the shows that would be performed at the theme park.

New Chinese investment rules no issue

PHOTO: A now outdated illustration of the planned park featured a fibreglass Uluru. (Supplied)

The plans for the park also include housing for up to 2,000 residents, including a high-rise development — it will also feature one of the world's largest indoor ski fields.

While an illustration of the proposed park released a couple years ago showed plans for a controversial fibreglass version of Uluru, Mr Evans said that feature had since been dropped from the project.

The listing of projects under the One Belt One Road initiative comes despite China's efforts to scale back on overseas real estate investments.

China announced new corporate investment guidelines last year that restricted real estate deals, as well as "irrational" investments in foreign entertainment companies.

Mr Evans said the park's listing as part of the Belt and Road initiative is a sign from the Chinese Government that the proposal abides by its new investment rules.

"The Songcheng entertainment park has a fundamental cultural experience, and therefore the [Ministry of Culture] has decreed that this investment is allowed," he said.

Professor Fitzgerald added that companies may be looking to One Belt One Road initiative as "a form of insurance".

"This listing suggests Chinese firms are looking to [One Belt One Road] listing as a form of insurance for projects at risk of Chinese government cancellation, or for projects that may not be financially viable without Beijing's endorsement," he said.

'We're delighted' to be on list: Gold Coast Mayor

PHOTO: Mr Tate said the project would bring "significant financial and social benefits". (AAP: Dan Peled)

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed China's decision to list the project.

"We're delighted the Chinese Government has included this project on their Belt and Road list," Mr Tate said in a statement.

"Our city's relationship with China is built on trust as well as Council's ability to minimise red tape, while still ensuring all environmental and development guidelines are adhered to.

"I look forward to seeing this theme park development progress as it will bring significant financial and social benefits for our city."

The project has courted controversy in the local community — more than 300 objections to the planned theme park have been lodged with the Gold Coast City Council, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported last month.

Many locals critical of the project cited environmental concerns as well as the increased population density the high-rise accommodation would bring to the area.

The council is set to vote on whether the proposal will go ahead later this year.

PHOTO: The planned park will feature one of the world's largest indoor ski fields. (Songcheng)

The article also features a video on China's One Belt, One Road initiative.

Edited March 5, 2018 by Jamberoo Fan

[New display name]

The fake theme park is now dead.

 

 

They are blaming the local groups who have always opposed the development because of Covid.🤣   Apparently in 2018 when hundreds of people opposed is Covid was a thing.  They as also blaming Smirko for a approval that is done at a state level.