Questions over Chinese-themed visitor attraction on the NSW Central Coast

A series of questions about inappropriate activity relating to the development of a $500 million Chinese theme visitor attraction on the NSW Central Coast have been raised in recent weeks.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has demanded its logo be removed from any promotional material being circulated by the attraction’s developers on social media in China.

In a letter to Bruce Zhong, Chief Executive of developer the Australia China Theme Park Pty Ltd, the Department said it had never authorised the company to use its logo, demanding that the developers:

• Cease the unauthorised use of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment logo;
• Remove any material published on the internet containing the logo; and
• Cease distributing any material containing the logo.

The Department said it took the matter very seriously and would consider further steps, should Zhong and the group fail to adhere to its demands.

The Newcastle Herald had reported that the company had been running a promotion on a popular social media site in China which offers an Australian visa in return for a $1 million investment in the controversial project, which is yet to be approved.

In May, the NSW Department of Planning issued a gateway determination for the theme park, but restricted Wyong Council's rezoning and increased height plans for the site.

The NSW Government has agreed to investigate claims that Wyong Shire Mayor Doug Eaton had failed to declare his wife's financial interests in the attraction

Mayor Eaton has said he had no knowledge of his wife's interest in Sydney Chinese Daily Pty Ltd, owned by Australia China Theme Park Pty Ltd, until contacted by the Newcastle Herald.

The shares, valued at $10,000, were not disclosed in Council documents.

The $500 million attraction, to be developed on 15 hectares of land sold by Wyong Shire Council to the developers in 2012, will feature a replica of Beijing's Forbidden City and a massive standing Buddha statue at its centre.

9th August 2014 - CHINESE THEME PARK TO OPEN ON NSW CENTRAL COAST AS OF 2016