August 2009 i-METT Project Makes Good Progress with EIS
i-METT continues to make good progress on the Environmental Impact Statement despite the challenges of the past year. These included the Global Economic Crisis, Swine Flu, and a State Election in Queensland together with the associated re-shuffle of Cabinet Ministers and the Public Service.
 
Understandably for a project of this size, the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement were comprehensive, which has involved considerable activity behind the scenes.  
 
Ongoing discussion and negotiations with Government agencies continue on a regular basis, and i-METT is hopeful that the Environmental Impact Statement may be lodged for initial review in the not-to-distant future.
 
i-METT thanks its many supporters for their continued interest and support during this time.
 

July 2009 Government Releases South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031
The Queensland State Government released the updated South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 on 28th July 2009.  The Plan provides a comprehensive overview of the planning intentions for the South East Queensland Region for the period 2009-2031. Whilst the Plan does not specifically mention individual projects such as the i-METT Project, it does lay out the framework for development planning that will assist i-METT in the completion of its Environmental Impact Statement, and the subsequent development if approved.
 
To view the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 document, visit:
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/seqregionalplan
 
 
July 2009 Government Releases North East Gold Coast Study
The Queensland State Government released the North East Gold Coast Study – land use, economic and infrastructure strategy on 28th July 2009.  The Study provides a comprehensive overview of the future planning options for the North East Gold Coast area (also known as the Rocky Point district).  The Study does not include the i-METT project however.  As noted in footnote 4 at the bottom of page 27, the Study’s comments on “Community motor sport activities do not include the i-METT (integrated motorsport, education, tourism and technology) proposal, which is subject to a separate investigation and assessment.”
 
To view the North East Gold Coast Study – land use, economic and infrastructure strategy, visit:
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/regional-planning/north-east-gold-coast-study.html
 

October 2008 Channel Seven Flashback Segment to Include i-METT Project
The i-METT Project will be included in the weekly Flashback segment on the 6.00pm News on Channel Seven in Brisbane this Sunday 26th October 2008. This week’s Flashback will feature a story on the 1954 Australian Grand Prix conducted on a temporary street at Southport, and will finish with a brief overview of the proposed i-METT Project at Norwell on the northern Gold Coast.
NWSBSU26R20 FLASH SOUTHPORT.asf

October 2008 ­ Government Finalises Terms of Reference
The Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning has finalised the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement for the i-METT Project following a period of public consultation.
To view the Terms of Reference document, visit:
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects/tourism-arts-and-recreation/i-mett-project.html

June 2008 Public Comment Sought for Draft Terms of Reference
The State Government has begun the environmental assessment process for the proposed $650 million motor racing, tourism and technology complex at Gilberton, near Ormeau.
For more information visit:
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects/tourism-arts-and-recreation/i-mett-project.html

February 2008 i-METT approved as ‘Significant Project’

The State Government of Queensland has approved i-METT as a ‘significant project’. This was declared by the Co-ordinator General on 11 February 2008, and will be substantiated by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Master Planning documentation. The approval was given based on the Initial Advice Statement previously presented to Government. i-METT is delighted by the progress of the project.

August 2007 CSIRO Study Considers Future Options for Rocky Point Cane Lands

A CSIRO study, “Future Use of the Rocky Point Cane Landscapes”, was released in August 2007. In their report, CSIRO researchers have evaluated a wide range of alternative rural land use options for the future of the Rocky Point Cane Lands. Read what they have to say about the alternatives facing future rural activities in the area, given the difficulties facing the sugar industry.

For more information visit:
http://www.csiro.au/resources/RockyPointLanduseReport.html