Kurrawa is leading site with Spit, Coolangatta for a future beach club but councillors are divided

At least three prime Gold Coast sites are being sized up for future beach bars but councillors facing a protest campaign appear divided. See the options

At least three Gold Coast foreshore locations are being eyed for beach bars but councillors facing a community protest campaign appear divided on approving them.

Environmental and resident groups are ramping up opposition as consultation on a draft management plan for a future permanent beach bar at Kurrawa closes on Thursday.

Mayor Tom Tate and his senior councillors are backing the new tourism product if clubs can meet certain criteria.

Five councillors with the Mayor appear supportive, four are against, and another five including newly representatives are undecided.

A City source said the council would consider approving a five-year lease for a successful operator but beach bars must be open to the public and not private clubs.

“Kurrawa is the favourite. There are at least two others being pushed by proponents. It’s created a lot of interest, there are people in Coolangatta. Kurrawa is the only location under consideration,” the source said.

The beach bar at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast after the council staged a trial.

Main Beach Association leader Sue Donovan said members were opposed to a beach bar with The Spit a likely future location.

She wrote to City CEO Tim Baker: “In terms of the impact of such a precedent for Main Beach and The Spit, we are aware the Sheraton Mirage has for some time been interested in establishing a European-style beach bar on the public beach area adjacent to their hotel, something the Main Beach community would strenuously oppose.

“We do hope council will listen to the very valid concerns of the various community groups and make it immediately clear to commercial interests beach bars will not be permitted on or near our public beaches.”

The community campaign against beach bars on the Gold Coast. Pictured are Sally Spain, from Wildlife Queensland, along with Jennylyn Fahey and John Hicks from Community Alliance.

Ms Donovan joins a chorus of opposition including Save Our Spit, Wildlife Queensland, GECKO and the Community Alliance.

Community Alliance leader John Hicks has urged residents to object on council’s surveying link.

“It is disgraceful for council to propose the use of public land and publicly funded infrastructure for the almost exclusive benefit of a private beach club operator. This proposal is clearly not in the public interest,” he said.

“Australia doesn’t have beach clubs-bars for good reasons. We love our beaches

because they are not commercialised. They are not associated with alcohol or hawkers

pushing you to buy from them. Our beaches are places to find peace and quiet and they

are family friendly.”

The beach bar trial at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast - visitors on the foreshore deck.

Only councillors Brooke Patterson, Peter Young, Bob La Castra and Daphne McDonald in June 2022 voted against the beach bar trial at Kurrawa.

Cr Josh Martin, elected after Cr McDonald retired, indicated as a candidate he would review applications to use public land on a “case-by-case basis”.

Pre-election Naomi Fowler in Helensvale said she did not believe they were a priority. Nick Marshall who won Miami is opposed.

New Labrador councillor Joe Wilkinson is seeking an updated briefing from officers before committing.

Dan Doran, winner in Robina after Hermann Vorster stood for State politics, also has no predetermined view on beach bars.

“I have not been presented with any reports, concepts or proposals from council officers and therefore cannot make an informed judgement at this time,” he said.

The beach bar proposed for Kurrawa on the Gold Coast. This graphic shows the foreshore area at Broadbeach where planning is occurring.

Councillors Young and La Castra remain opposed but Cr Brooke Patterson, who voted against last time, said she had an “open and persuadable” mind on fresh applications.

“By asking councillors to give our position to you now, it puts us in a difficult position where we could be in breach of our obligations under the Act,” she said. “I voted against the beach bar trial last time, but given the above I will need to consider any future recommendation with ‘fresh eyes’.”

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Originally published as Kurrawa is leading site with Spit, Coolangatta for a future beach club but councillors are divided