Investigation on future of Arundel Suntown tip as movie scouts see it as key Coast location
The City is undecided on whether a notorious rubbish tip is to be developed as a key film location after the Elvis movie. Vote in the poll
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The City must decide whether a notorious rubbish tip is developed as a key film site after the Elvis movie used it to great success - or is restricted for only community use.
City officers say they are in confidential discussions with consortiums wanting to use the Suntown tip at Arundel which was a key location for the 2022 Baz Luhrmann film.
Mayor Tom Tate, during a set visit, said it should be renamed “Suntown studio”.
But councillors have moved quickly to limit the site’s commercial future to focus on retaining and developing community uses.
At Tuesday’s waste committee meeting, councillors unanimously backed Councillor Dan Doran recommendation that community options be the priority in a $1 million investigation of future options for the closed rubbish dump.
Their decision, need full council’s majority support next week, allows temporary use for film after officers clarified commercial use.
Councillor Peter Young had pushed for exploration of land for “community purposes”.
Mr Doran gained Deputy Mayor Donna Gates backing in framing the recommendation, telling councillors: “This site has the potential to be so much more for the community.”
Councillor Naomi Fowler did not want film production given priority on community use as the Mike Hatcher Junior Motorcycle Club had a lease on a site section.
“We are considering a really great tenant there, with a great community asset for kids,” she said.
If the club did not continue its lease, the area should remain for community use, she added.
“I’d love to see that as the primary investigation rather than being Invest Gold Coast commercial use. That’s a secondary consideration,” she said.
But officers asked for future investigation to include temporary film making.
They had been with film industry operators who viewed the site as “incredibly attractive”.
“We successfully filmed the Elvis movie there. There are a fair few conversations going around about potential future film industry activities on that site as well,” an officer said.
Short term and future options outlined in a report are:
Area 1: Mike Hatcher Raceway - no change. High value technology and other industry
Area 2: Site access - temporary storage-film industry Use. Future technology use.
Area 3: Former waste area - storage-film. Future waste resource, storage and film.
Area 4: Former putrescible waste area - temporary storage-film. Future film and waste.
Area 5: Waste operations and landfill gas flare - green organics pad. Future green organics.
Area 6: Site access, community centre and parking. Leave as is with access to green pad.
Area 7 and 8: Bushland. Leave as is with potential for walking and cycling trails.
“There is a significant level of community interest and concern - both from neighbouring properties and further afield - associated with the Suntown site and options for its future use,” officers said.
Area councillor Joe Wilkinson said the changed recommendation meant the tip’s future would be considered as part of City Plan reviews, the city’s growth and community facilities.
He has called for more community consultation in the lead-up to reporting in June next year, aware the film industry option was not widely explored in earlier surveying.
He said it would be up to 30 years before anything permanent could be developed on the site.
“It’s about making sure the community is taken along that journey - and given the opportunity to provide feedback when it’s appropriate to do so, I will be championing people’s concerns as they are raised to me,” he said.
History of Suntown suburban tip
* Landfill started in 1979, included putrescible, which decays quickly, and demolition waste streams. Closed in 2012, after many residents blamed health issues;
* Nearby estate owners had launched a class action in 2010, settled in 2017. Formal decommissioning of the site began in 2022;
* It was put in the national spotlight in 1999 when police found the remains of missing millionaire businessman Hamago Kitayama. His wife would be convicted of his murder;
* In 2021, Mayor Tom Tate said it should be renamed “Suntown Studio” after the tip was transformed into the Memphis street setting for Elvis the movie;
* Currently used for storage, the Mike Hatcher speedway has ongoing lease and in 2023 about $2.5 million was set aside for green organics pad used during the January storm damage.
* Surrounded by bushland which is renowned koala habitat;
* A community survey listed 23 potential uses including solar farms, community facilities, car parks, schools and eco-education centres;
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