Gold Coast facing a wave of protest as councillor and green groups oppose beach bar
A debate surrounding the likelihood of beach bars on the Gold Coast has reignited as councillors share their concerns around the idea.
Gold Coast
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The Gold Coast’s decision to embrace nature tourism will lead to beach bars and more commercial invasion in the hinterland, warns the city’s leading green councillor.
Senior councillor Peter Young, speaking for the first time on his surprise rejection of the eco-tourism strategy, predicts it will see the city’s best environmental assets being exploited.
“I’m not especially worried about the likelihood of a cable car being progressed via this venture,” Cr Young told The Bulletin.
“But there are I think other possible outcomes that will be unpopular and contrary to the best environmental practices and protections – for example, beach bars which I have not supported in the past and tourist accommodation in sensitive areas like The Spit and Springbrook.”
Cr Young was the only councillor at a special meeting earlier this month who voted against officer report which recommending the City refocus on nature-based tourism.
He did not speak on the motion which was passed after debate was held in closed session.
Both Mayor Tom Tate and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, along with city officers, had just returned from a fact finding tourism mission to Tasmania where eco-tourism in national parks is driving the state’s $950 million annual visitor boom.
Under the future strategy, private investors and tourism operators will be invited to submit low impact, nature-based tourism experiences with $500,000 made available in grants. A committee will be chaired by veteran tourism leader Paul Donovan.
Cr Young has concerns about the make-up the committee and intent of the plan.
“I believe the solution presented to councillors by the CEO was too prescriptive and I would have preferred the chairperson be determined after we know of the likely membership of the committee and board,” he said.
“Another aspect of concern is that nature-based tourism has not been defined and I believe the possible interpretation of the term may be problematic.”
The beach bar debate has erupted after council faces accusations of not promoting its consultation to open up the Kurrawa foreshore for commercial events
Save Our Spit (SOSA) says it’s the expansion of beach bar “which has alarm bells ringing”.
“It appears from the outside that council has worked very hard to keep this one quick and quiet,” SOSA says, on its Facebook page.
Consultation is due to close on June 20 and SOSA wants council to extend it by two weeks.
Area councillor Darren Taylor on his Facebook page has encouraged residents to make submissions and told The Bulletin the plan is broader than beach bars.
“We are looking at that area and what we can actually do with the whole footprint. So activities like a beach bar is one of the options, but (also) what other activities in that area that we can activate,” he said.
“We have a surf club that sometimes has activations near and around them, we have events, we have the volleyballers that you can go down and they can train you. We are talking the commercialisation (of the precinct) – but how we manage it in a manageable way.”
Kurrawa Foreshore is proposed to have extended community, commercial events and activations for “more than 14 days in a calendar year”.
“This could include a summer open air cinema, beach tennis fixture, beach club with licensed bar and kitchen, and family friendly entertainment,” council suggests.
Resident Jeff McDermid said he was disappointed that council has not explicitly stated a maximum time period that they foresee the beach bar operating.
“Does council expect that the more than 14 days stipulation, if accepted, will give council carte blanche to have a beach bar operating continuously for 3 months, 6 months, 12 months a year without further community consultation and input,” he said.
Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast leaders have met with Resources Minister Scott Stewart to discuss their concerns including “minimal consultation”.
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