Worried about mud after major events on the Gold Coast? A Sydney council has an answer – and it’s as joyless as you can imaging

Gloomy locals griping about mud after major Gold Coast events should be careful what they wish for – a Sydney council has a solution, and its as joyless as you could imagine, writes Ann Wason Moore.

If the Gold Coast falls victim to cancel culture, we can make like Milli Vanilli and blame it on the rain.

Because somehow, despite a blockbuster month of world-class events on the Gold Coast set to generate more than $40 million for the region, we’ve managed to find the negatives.

Rather than finding a cloud’s silver lining, apparently we can’t even see the rainbow for the rain. After more than 100,000 gathered to watch the World Surf League Championship Tour event, the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro, at its temporary Burleigh base, somehow we’ve focused more on the Burleigh Hill “mud pit” left in its wake, rather than the sheer success.

Burleigh locals have questioned how council can endorse “months” of damage and disruption in the aftermath of blockbuster surfing contests, including the Australian Boardriders Battle in April and the upcoming Solento Surf Festival in June, with a “putrid-smelling mud pit” left in their wake.

A Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) spokesman attempted to divert attention back to the positives, saying that while they were aware of the damage left by the events, the pros outweighed the cons.

“The recent surfing events at Burleigh were attended by tens of thousands of people contributing millions of dollars into the local economy and our city, coastline and world-class surf breaks were beamed to millions of viewers worldwide,” they said.

The GCCC spokesman said a “restoration plan” was being developed and returfing the area would likely take four to six weeks depending on the weather.

The muddy scene at Burleigh after wet weather during the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro. Picture: Annette Dew.

The Bulletin also understands Gold Coast Pro organisers went to considerable effort and expense to minimise impact on the site, laying sand and protective matting over the area damaged by the earlier surf event, but it wasn’t enough in the face of continual wet weather.

Despite these salient points, the mud-slinging only intensified in online community groups.

“Anything for money, right? This should never have happened,” said one.

Frankly, we need a break in the weather.

Not just in terms of the rain, which has been relentless, but also from this negative mindset.

First of all, show me anywhere on the Gold Coast right now that is not a mud pit or showing signs of weather damage?

After all, data from the Bureau of Meteorology shows that Coolangatta has already received more than a year’s worth of rain, recording 1532.8ml between January and May, compared to an annual average rainfall of 1517ml.

Every park is soggy and gross, the roads are sprouting potholes and my car is literally covered in mud from parking at school. The kids’ shoes are no longer black but brown from the muddy puddles they apparently can’t avoid and my own yard sports bare, muddy patches thanks to the dog.

Muddy conditions at Blues on Broadbeach. Picture: Ann Wason Moore.

Muddy conditions at Blues on Broadbeach. Picture: Ann Wason Moore.

Attending Blues on Broadbeach this weekend, which was amazing as usual, the ground was suffering a similar fate after heavy downpours on Friday night.

But are we going to call for that event, now in its 25th year, to be cancelled as well?

Given the size of the crowd and the incredibly good time being had by all, I can’t imagine that would be a popular decision.

After such a horrible season of weather, from cyclones to chronic downpours, our tourism operators are surely grateful for this schedule of events that keep locals and visitors alike entertained on these relentless rainy days.

Frankly, it seems like some people just love to have a whinge – if it’s not the light rail, it’s the free sporting and music events.

The muddy scene at Burleigh after wet weather during the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro. Picture: Annette Dew.

But we better watch our mouths lest we end up like Sydney, a city that’s being ruined by the ‘fun police’.

City of Sydney councillors voted last week to ban music festivals, food markets and other major festivities from its public parks due to “climate change” … and in an effort to protect grass from damage.

The ban on large events in central Sydney public parks was introduced in 2022 but has now been extended indefinitely, with the measure slammed by event producers, business leaders and even the NSW Premier as “ridiculous” and the council, including Lord Mayor Clover Moore, dubbed the “fun police”.

While NSW Premier Chris Minns said the ban reflected poorly on Sydney’s status as a world city, the Gold Coast could make this ban work in our favour.

Between the WSL event, Blues on Broadbeach and the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, we’ve already proved that a little (or a lot) of rain can’t stop this city from having a good time.

Now we just have to shut down the whingers.

That might sound harsh, but to paraphrase Milli Vanilli once again: GC, you know it’s true.

Originally published as Worried about mud after major events on the Gold Coast? A Sydney council has an answer – and it’s as joyless as you can imaging