Gold Coast now bowling for Tate

Founding Dave Donovan and executive editor Michelle Pini reports that the latest corruption allegations of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, and threat corruption at this level, lead to livelihood, property and democracy for all Australians.

“It was well understood for a few years when Australia was a place for hot money … We have seen that the event has increased exponentially in recent years.”

~ Neil JeansABC Four corners– ‘Project Dragon’2019

Independent AUstrala In 2012, he was investigating the suspicious activities of Gold Coast developer Tom Tate before becoming the mayor of the city.

Tate’s uneasy behavior returned to the national spotlight last week, and finally completed the purchase of Surfers Paradise Bowls Club.

Many may not be relatively concerned about the allegations of corruption in other people’s cities. However, corruption at this level is a serious threat to livelihood sources, property, democracy and even the sovereignty of all ordinary Australians. Not a man “Cracker”The seizure of a few bowling greens, but the main target of systematic transnational money laundering from Australia.

For Australia, this threat is not new.

Like Four corners It was noted in it ‘Project Dragon’ Six years ago Program:

As China transforms itself into an economic power center, billions of dollars are illegally spiritual. He moved to Australia a large amount. ‘

Four corners He also announced that Australia has been accepted as a good place to hide your money because of peace, prosperity and ironic stable democracy.

Rubberstamping developments eliminate our democratic guards and increase the power and wealth of those who are already strong in our expenses. Although we do not claim that international organized crime cartels are always in the game, this rapid monitoring of planning permits can make Australia a target for international money laundering and organized crimes.

IA Tom Tate does not claim that he is involved in money laundering internationally or otherwise. However, this Gold Coast Mayor’s actions criminal more once (With the most severe punishment $ 3,000 Fine) Provide a template on how to do it.

Jump on democracy

Last week, IA A community protest outside the offices of the Gold Coast Council reported on a large wiring planned for the old, world heritage listed in Springbrook.

However, this development, of course, a disaster movement, we have almost ignored the full imports of the last changes of the Council, that is, by removing an internal council department and transferring its power to an external “independent” being.

The residents of Gold Coast were locked from this council meeting, but minutes can be caused by an Invest Gold Coast Pty Ltd and a topic that includes possible commercial negotiations.

This recent movement to skip democracy includes the decision of the Gold Coast Municipal Assembly to make a small group of officials who have the authority to approve of major development projects according to the Council Special Delegation Laws. This allows Mayor Tom Tate, Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel and two unleaded bureaucrats, while the council recesses, allowing green light projects exceeding $ 30 million.

Thus, an internal department, which would once supervise great development and evaluate its potential impact, handed over the Council power to a new, external being. Gold Coast InvestIt can now enter special partnerships from the usual council supervision.

Let’s think about what such a development means. A few people may confirm any major development without consulting holders and even all elected council members.

What can go wrong?

How was it: Pisasale example

Interestingly, Invest Gold Coast reflects the reflection of the template determined by another Queensland official, former Mayor of Ipswich Paul Pisasale, who was sentenced to seven years imprisonment after being convicted of corruption charges, as well as other things.

Pisasale, with other authorities, used The IPSWich Council is as a personal agency that will establish companies that have gained contract for new developments without tender. This process was used to wash money from developers and businesses.

‘Project Dragon’ connection

. Four Corners ‘Project Dragon’ The investigation into the international crime gangs included the activities of the real estate agent Sherry Zhao, who was accused of money laundering for a Chinese organization he was directed. Zhao was also an employee of Canford Property Group then– Founding Director Roland Evans. Roland Evans is a long -term partner in which Tate travels to China to facilitate a separate high -profile property agreement with Chinese investors.

Canford Real Estate Group is also a real estate agency. energetic For the previous sale of Surfer Paradise Bowls Club.

Surfers Paradise Bowls Club deception

Meanwhile, Mayor Tate made another controversial land agreementThis brought him a wind that was already estimated to be $ 23 million.

This agreement is Tom Tate’s company in 2005, CrestAt that time, Surfers Paradise Bowls Club, who was allegedly “saved” the financial problematic community organization.

Before then, the club was reluctant to sell and move its greens. The land without height restrictions was officially attracted significant attention from the developers Offers between 7 million dollars and $ 7.5 million.

However, before accepting these offers, Tate’s consortium convinced the club’s management committee to stay, and offered the club to “renew” and bring new corporate sponsors.

As a part of the agreement, the Crest was given the option to purchase the club’s greenery if financial situations did not heal. However, the plans to rejuvenate the club were all hot air. In 2007, Crestden used the option to acquire greens for the value of the debt – only $ 770,000. The club was later closed and its members were closed.

Tate and its partners have been trying to benefit from this land purchase for more than a decade.

Like IA Notified, It emerged In 2008, the Gold Coast Council received an offer from the Financier City Pacific to a three 70-100-storey tower, including Tom Tate’s land and a second Gold Coast Casino, which will be built in the bowl club’s land and other properties. At that time, the Liberal Party Mayor’s candidate Tate, confessed that he had met with the financier, but rejected the participation of the proposal.

Before the 2012 Mayor’s proposal He claimed that he would dispose of himself In case of being mayor, his interest in Bowls Club. Instead, after becoming Mayor, Crestden applied to a development of a 52 -storey tower of $ 300 million with the council.

This did not occur in part because some of the land was still belonging to the Council and it was subject to conditions, including providing parking for neighboring residents at Surfers Plaza Resort.

In 2022, the Gold Coast Council sold the remaining land worth $ 6.46 million a year ago In a report assigned by the Council – For the Neraran East Pty Ltd, owned by Michael Geoffrey Turner, another partner of Tate, for the bargaining price of $ 1.9 million.

By chance for Tate, when questioned An existing relationship He said incredibly coincidence, he said “You take your own luck”The consortium purchased the last part of Surfer’s Paradise Bowls Club site for a bargaining price of $ 4.17 million last week. In addition, “by chance”, the above -mentioned development conditions have been reduced by the Council – not a coincidence for the residents of Surfers Plaza Resort.

This brings a total of less than $ 7 million, including $ 7 million, including a penalty of $ 3,000 for the corrupt behavior for Tate and its partners – up to one third of the current valuation of the property.

Tate and the Council officials chosen can be a new casino on cards for Gold Coast with planning offers exceeding $ 30 million in the hands of the Council officials.

But even if Tate never developed the land and instead decided to sell it based on the current value of this main real estate, it would earn at least $ 23 million.

Retired Supreme Judge Anthony Whely KC An existing relationship A need for an investigation into the agreement:

“This is the highest probability in the disposal of public land by public land and local councils.

Of course, Rubberstamping, in general, increases the potential of the use of Gold Coast as a tool to skip the public investigation for degenerated developers and international money laundering.

Independent AUstrala Soon it will bring more to this story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj9chanx64s

Follow Dave Donovan on X/Twitter @Davrosz And bluesky @Davrosz.bsky.social– Michelle pin in Bluesky @michellepini.bsky.social and x/twitter @vmp9and independent Australia in Bluesky @indecedaus.bsky.socialX/twitter @INDEPENDENAUS And Facebook HERE.

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