Gold Coast Council share Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay Foreshore Precinct masterplan which includes the redevelopment of the SLSC
A southern Gold Coast councillor says they consulted with the Rainbow Bay surf club ahead of releasing controversial plans to demolish the 63-year-old building.
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A southern Gold Coast councillor says the City consulted with the Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club ahead of releasing controversial plans to demolish its 63-year-old clubhouse.
On Saturday, the Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay Foreshore Precinct masterplan was released, outlining five major changes to be made over the next 20 years.
This included the demolition and redevelopment of the surf club and pedestrianising Snapper Rocks Rd.
The plans sparked a heated debate among residents who said the building should be “heritage listed”, and others who said it should be knocked down.
On Monday afternoon, division 14 councillor Gail O’Neill responded to concerns over whether or not the surf club had been consulted before the plans were released.
“The draft masterplan has been created through input from the following focus groups: 1. Residents. 2. Sport and tourism (which included Rainbow Surf Club and Snapper Boardriders Club),” she said.
“Rainbow Bay Surf Club operate under a council lease and there is no intention for this to change.
“Council is totally supportive of all the lifesaving clubs on the Gold Coast.
“The club, has for the last couple of years, kept council informed of their intentions to upgrade and expand the club.”
Ms O’Neill noted the toilet block behind the surf club was “nearing the end of its life”.
“Council has expressed an interest in funding public amenities to be included in any refurbished or redeveloped surf club building”.
The southern Gold Coast councillor added that while Snapper Boardriders Club currently don’t have a “home”, the City was supportive of including a space for them at Snapper Rocks.
“What has been included in this draft masterplan is indicative of the input from both of the focus groups and inclusions from council open spaces and beaches teams, for example Snapper Rocks Rd becoming a shared pedestrian space, widening walkways and board walks,” she said.
“Next steps after consultation and any changes made to the draft is for council to endorse the plan.
“Any project from a masterplan would then have to proceed through a planning and funding process.”
Residents were divided over the plan, which included a new Oceanway, more picnic areas, Froggies Beach access and more.
“Putting my two bobs worth in … I think the masterplan looks great,” Jim Taylor said.
“The position is what makes the place iconic.
“Certainly not a ‘heritage’ building unless heritage means old and falling apart.
“It’s been slapped together over the years and is now in serious disrepair.
“There may be a few less car parks, but seem to be more up the hill … but there were never enough parks anyway.
“It was always a mission to get a park and it didn’t stop the waves being overcrowded.”
However resident Rachael Ashton said: “Ever heard of a simple renovation?”
“Don’t need to knock everything down,” she said.
“Leave some memories for Gold Coasters.”
‘It’s very tired’: Locals split over potential Rainbow Bay SLSC demo
One of the Gold Coast’s most iconic surf club buildings, known for its ‘from where you would rather be’ sign, faces potential demolition in plans to transform the suburb.
On Saturday, Division 14 councillor Gail O’Neill shared the Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay Foreshore Precinct masterplan.
The masterplan lists five key features including: transforming Snapper Rocks Rd from a car park into a pedestrian-friendly space; revitalising Rainbow Bay foreshore, Snapper Rocks headland and Point Danger; a new Oceanway; redeveloping and relocating the Rainbow Bay Surf Lifesaving club and creating more space for surf events.
Ms O’Neill said the area needed a 20 year plan to help “guide the future infrastructure, services and facilities in the precinct”.
“The Rainbow Bay Surf Lifesaving Club building is ageing, and we want work with the surf club and other community organisations to plan for its future,” she said.
“We’re proposing a redevelopment of a multi-use community facilities which would improve access and amenities, create a welcoming space for the community and key events, while retaining the view out to Rainbow Bay beach.”
Ms O’Neill said the masterplan would have to be endorsed by Council and then a detailed consultation process would occur with the surf club, other stakeholders and the local community about what a new surf club/community could look like.
“The master plan has been informed by community feedback, and is being presented to the community as a draft that is still open to amendments,” she said.
“I urge everyone to tell us their thoughts on the plan through our survey. Your feedback matters.”
The news shocked southern Gold Coast residents who said “don’t you dare” redevelop the 63-year-old surf club.
“Seriously, you can’t remove the Snapper Rock Surf Life Saving Club, it is iconic. Leave it as it is and restore, not demolish,” Robert Wheeler said.
The news prompted residents to start a Facebook page called ‘Save the Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club and Snapper Rocks Rd’, along with a petition.
Within 48 hours, the petition received more than 2200 signatures.
“As a proud local of Coolangatta, I watch in dismay as the integrity of our community is continually threatened by decisions that overlook our rich history and unique way of life,” Ira Degrazia said.
“The Rainbow Bay SLSC is more than just a building.
“It is a cornerstone of our local culture, a testament to over half a century of lifesaving, community gatherings and memorable Summers by the sea.
“Destroying it would mean erasing an integral piece of what makes Coolangatta home.”
Mr Degrazia called for Rainbow Bay SLSC and Snapper Rocks Rd to be heritage listed.
“Standing idly by while our heritage is systematically dismantled is not an option,” he said.
“We must rally together as a community to express our collective voice and insist that the GCCC recognises and respects our past.
“Let’s advocate for renovating the structure, as I do agree it’s in need of some TLC”.
The GC Have Your Say fact sheet said the masterplan was needed as the population of visitors into the area had “dramatically” increased over the past decade.
“We want to ensure that the natural environment of the Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay Foreshore Precinct is protected and remains resilient to this increase in population and visitors, while providing better amenities and sustainable infrastructure in the precinct that can be enjoyed into the future.”
The GC Have Your Say survey will close on June 13.
WHAT YOU SAID
A plan to redevelop one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic surf life saving clubs has divided locals, with some supportive of the project while others want its heritage listed.
Rainbow Surf Life Saving Club faces demolition under the Gold Coast council’s proposed Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay Foreshore Precinct masterplan.
Bev and Steve Sullivan, who have lived in their area with their pooch Tom for 15 years, supported the plan.
“It really needs it, the building is very tired,” Mrs Sullivan said.
“There are lot of people who have lived here for a really long time and who don’t like change, which I understand.”
Mr Sullivan said: “You get all these people saying leave it but the place is falling down.
“Rainbow Bay itself is such a small community … you don’t have to live here long to know everyone and I looked at all the comments (on the masterplan online) and I didn’t recognise a single name.”
Mrs Sullivan said the club used to be a hub for locals five years ago but that was no longer the case.
They agreed the proposal to close off Snapper Rocks Rd to vehicles was a great idea as it easily becomes a bottleneck.
Snapper Rocks was bustling on Monday afternoon with surfers riding its famous waves and tourists exploring the area.
Lisa Horton, who was visiting Rainbow Bay from Adelaide, said the master plan sounded pretty good.
“I can’t say (the club) is very startling or remarkable to look at, that’s my first impression,” she said.
“It would be nice to have more of an open space with picnic tables and grass.”
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Originally published as Gold Coast Council share Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay Foreshore Precinct masterplan which includes the redevelopment of the SLSC
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