The latest addition to the Palmer Coolum Resort grounds is attracting ire and derision – as well as some support – from the social media masses.
Billionaire businessman and United Australia Party chair Clive Palmer has recently erected a cupola (rounded dome) on a tranquil part of the manicured golf course, near the lake.
It is positioned on his own property and believed funded by his own money, as is his right.
The new structure is next to the 18th hole, almost exactly on the spot where his 10-metre Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur model, which was nicknamed ‘Jeff’, once stood (‘Jeff’ met his demise by fire in March, 2015).
The ornate Grecian-style, white-marbled cupola, with dark-coloured dome, was completed a few months ago.
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With the resort now closed, only golfers, staff and a resident mob of kangaroos are able to view the unusual construction up close, with an inscription dedicated to Mr Palmer, a member of the 44th Australian Parliament, as a National Living Treasure.
The controversial mining magnate and polarising figure was named a National Living Treasure in a list compiled by the National Trust in 2012.
Honoured on the same list were singers the late Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Minogue, world champion Formula One racing driver the late Sir Jack Brabham, science educator Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, naturalist and conservationist the late Dr Harry Butler, and cervical vaccine creator Professor Ian Frazer.
At the time, Ian Carroll, from the National Trust of Australia (NSW), said in a statement that the group of seven had been chosen because they personified qualities all Australians should aspire to.
“Their generous and significant contributions have, like them, become part of our national heritage,” he said.
Sunshine Coast News has reached out to Mr Palmer for comment about the cupola.
Peter Duncan posted a photo of the cupola on Facebook recently. It had garnered 76 comments and 71 shares within a week.
Comments were varied about the lonesome attraction. Some were thankful it wasn’t shaped like a dinosaur (in reference to the gigantic prehistoric animal models that once graced the grounds).
Steve Harrison: “Coming across that could ruin a good game of golf.”
Lynette O’Sullivan: “I thought only Trump did something like that lol.”
Arthur Chesterfield-Evans: “Hilarious! Down with false modesty! How very modern to sing your own praises!”
David Watt seemed to offer an alternate view from much of the crowd: “I don’t like the guy, but if he wants to build a tribute to himself, no one should have an issue with it. It’s his money, his land.”
Mr Palmer, who made the Australian Financial Review 2021 Rich List at No.7 with an “assessed” wealth of $13.01 billion, is busy campaigning in the lead-up to the Victorian State Election on November 26.
A statement on the United Australia Party website says UAP had been officially registered by the Victorian Electoral Commission and will be contesting all Upper House regions in the upcoming poll.
“The united Australia party is looking forward to contesting the Victorian State Election with a team of excellent candidates,” Mr Palmer, the party chair, said.
“We are concentrating fully on gaining the balance of power in the next Victorian Parliament with our very strong Upper House ticket.”
Mr Palmer said in the statement the UAP would field two candidates in each electoral region “to deliver the freedoms and economic certainty” that Victorian desperately needed.
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